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pass off
verb
passed off; passing off; passes off
1
: to make public or offer for sale with intent to deceive
2
: to give a false identity or character to
Examples of pass off in a Sentence
the con man tried to pass off a piece of blue glass as a sapphire
Recent Examples on the Web
New York health authorities are looking into accusations that a baker passed off regular doughnuts from Dunkin’ as her own homemade vegan and gluten-free pastries.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Gardner-Johnson came down with a tipped pass off the hands of Mike Evans and returned the ball to the Tampa 41, leading to a field goal.
—Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024
Hepburn had a steal and a pass off the backboard to Storr for a dunk and then another basket off an Iowa turnover for a 65-55 lead with 8:26 left.
—Jeff Potrykus, Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
Across all versions, changelings could easily pass off as their human counterparts — their true likeness only exposed by way of trickery or beatings.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
In a complaint, pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences claimed that more than 200 individuals and companies across the U.S. were passing off antipsychotic pills as the company’s HIV medications.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024
Much of what is online now comes from past conflicts, including in Gaza itself, being passed off as new; search engines exist to help determine the truth.
—David Bauder, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
With a goal earlier in the period, Gibson received a pass off the wall in the right corner.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2024
With Brogdon defending, Russell faked a behind-the-back pass off the dribble, pushing the ball back to his right hand instead for a layup — giving himself the starring role in the highlight.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pass off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near pass off
Cite this Entry
“Pass off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20off. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
pass off
verb
: to give a false identity to : describe untruthfully
Legal Definition
pass off
transitive verb1
: to make public or offer for sale (goods or services) with intent to deceive : palm off
passing his product off as that of the plaintiff's—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
see also unfair competition
2
: to give a false identity or character to
they created the documents on the day of the trial and passed them off as being made earlier
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