fob off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium frequency, primarily in UK/Commonwealth English.Informal, colloquial, conversational. Can carry a negative or accusatory tone.
Quick answer
What does “fob off” mean?
To deceitfully or dismissively give someone something inferior or false instead of what they wanted or expected, or to put someone off with excuses.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To deceitfully or dismissively give someone something inferior or false instead of what they wanted or expected, or to put someone off with excuses.
To dismiss or deceive someone in a casual, often disrespectful manner, typically by providing an unsatisfactory explanation, substitute, or delay.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more common and established in British English. In American English, it is understood but less frequent; alternatives like 'brush off', 'palm off', or 'put off' are often preferred.
Connotations
In UK English, it strongly connotes a deliberate, slightly sneaky deception. In US English, it may sound somewhat British or archaic.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech and writing. Low-to-medium frequency in US English, often found in international contexts or influenced by UK media.
Grammar
How to Use “fob off” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] fob [OBJ: person] off with [OBJ: thing/excuse][SUBJ] fob [OBJ: thing/responsibility] off on [OBJ: person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fob off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council fobbed off residents' concerns about the construction noise.
- Don't try to fob that old car off on me!
American English
- The company couldn't just fob off the investigators with a incomplete report.
- He fobbed off his duties onto his assistant.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The supplier tried to fob us off with faulty components."
Academic
Rare. Possibly in political science: "The minister fobbed off the committee with vague promises."
Everyday
"I asked for a refund, but they fobbed me off with a store credit."
Technical
Not typically used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fob off”
- Using it without 'off' (Incorrect: *'He fobbed me.' Correct: 'He fobbed me off.').
- Confusing with 'fib' (to tell a small lie).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'fob someone off' or 'fob off someone' (less common), and 'fob something off on someone'.
It likely comes from 16th-17th century slang 'fop' or 'fob', meaning a cheat or fool. The 'off' adds the sense of dismissal.
Generally no. It's informal and often accusatory. In formal contexts, use 'dismiss', 'evade', or 'palmed off' (UK) with caution.
Yes, in informal British English, 'a fob-off' is a noun meaning an excuse or inferior substitute given to dismiss someone. E.g., "That reply was just a fob-off."
To deceitfully or dismissively give someone something inferior or false instead of what they wanted or expected, or to put someone off with excuses.
Fob off: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɒb ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɑːb ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't let them fob you off with that old excuse.”
- “He's just fobbing us off until we forget about it.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'fob' like a cheap keychain token. To FOB OFF is to give someone a cheap token instead of the real thing they asked for.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS GIVING A COUNTERFEIT/INFERIOR OBJECT; DISMISSAL IS PHYSICAL PUSHING AWAY (off).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fob off' correctly?