fob off

USAGE SUMMARY

"fob off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to divert or delay someone using excuses or false promises. For example, "The customer service representative tried to fob me off with an unsatisfactory answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The first is to fob off the "masses".

The Guardian

You can fob off the foibles and embrace the great.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Stack, it managed to fob off a nuclear bomb to the Taiwanese bank.

The New York Times

It then tried to fob off survivors with quiet payments through a private foundation.

The Economist

We hear about Murry, the client on whom Tatum intends to fob off Mona.

The New York Times - Books

They and Cao had been having their units report fictitious night patrols and ambushes to fob off the Americans.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I do feel we were fobbed off," he said.

The Guardian

Non-receipt of tickets – constantly being "fobbed off".

The Guardian - Travel

He has been fobbed off, but has persisted.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea that the UK is going to be fobbed off with a 'stopgap' is embarrassing.

Independent

Then, on January 31st, he sacked his government, a time-honoured Jordanian device for fobbing off protest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fob off", ensure the context clearly indicates an intent to deceive or evade responsibility. It's stronger than simply delaying.

Common error

Avoid using "fob off" when someone is genuinely busy or legitimately needs more time. It implies a deliberate attempt to deceive or avoid responsibility, not just a delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fob off" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of evading, deceiving, or avoiding responsibility when dealing with someone or something, as supported by Ludwig's real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "fob off" signifies an attempt to evade responsibility or deceive someone with excuses. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts, although it is suitable for neutral context. When writing, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the negative connotation of deception or evasion, avoiding its use when a simple delay is the only intent. Using alternatives such as ""brush aside"", ""evade"", or ""give the runaround"" can provide nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give the runaround

This describes a situation where someone is deliberately misled or sent from one person to another without resolution.

brush aside

This alternative emphasizes dismissing something quickly and without proper consideration.

pass the buck

This refers to shifting responsibility to someone else.

evade

This alternative focuses on avoiding something, often through skillful maneuvering.

stall

This suggests delaying or postponing something, typically to gain time.

sidestep

This implies avoiding a direct confrontation or response.

put off

This suggests postponing or delaying something, often with negative connotations.

stonewall

This means to delay or block something by refusing to cooperate or answer questions.

deflect

This indicates turning something aside or preventing it from reaching its intended target.

circumvent

This implies finding a way around something, often a rule or obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "fob off" in a sentence?

You can use "fob off" to describe someone avoiding a responsibility or deceiving someone with excuses. For example, "The company tried to "fob off" customers with a generic response."

What are some alternatives to "fob off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "evade", "brush aside", or "give the runaround".

What's the difference between "fob off" and "delay"?

"Delay" simply means to postpone something. "Fob off", on the other hand, implies a deliberate attempt to avoid dealing with something by using deception or excuses, which makes it stronger and more negative.

Is "fob off" formal or informal?

"Fob off" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly negative connotation due to its implication of deception. Ludwig provides numerous examples from neutral news sources, but also from more formal academic or business contexts.