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Mr. Tom Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Use of fob off

Hi

I am slightly confused with regard to the use of fob off (cheat) in everyday English. Some dictionaries say it is dated and N-grams support them but I heard the word in a recent TV show. I must admit that the user was an octogenarian, belligerent man.

Do native speakers use fob off at all?

Fob off = to give someone an answer or explanation that is not true or complete
to give someone something that is not what they want or need

Thanks,

Tom

PS: Do I need a comma here? octogenarian, belligerent man
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom octogenarian, belligerent man You want belligerent octogenarian . Mr.

— CalifJim

  • Mr.
  • Tom octogenarian, belligerent man You want belligerent octogenarian .
  • Mr.
  • Tom Do native speakers use fob off at all?
  • Yes, but I'm not one of them.
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3 Answers
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Mr. Tomoctogenarian, belligerent man
You want belligerent octogenarian.
Mr. TomDo native speakers use fob off at all?
Yes, but I'm not one of them. It's in my passive vocabulary.

CJ
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Thanks, CJ.

Then which verb or phrase would you use if you meant one of these?

Fob off = to give someone an answer or explanation that is not true or complete
=to give someone something that is not what they want or need

Don't try to ___________________ me with this shoddy excuse.

Tom
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I don't use the expression "fob off." It seems much more used in British than American English.

Don't try to deceive me with this shoddy excuse.
Don't try to _pull one off on _ me with this shoddy excuse.
Don't try to _pull the wool over my eyes with this shoddy excuse
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