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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
In the third period, Pettersson hit Boeser with a sweet east-west pass off the rush.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on Truth Social.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Right after a touchback, Will Howard dumped a pass off to TreVeyon Henderson, who got some blocks up front and scampered 75 yards to the house, giving the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025
But there’s a reason most defensemen don’t take the chance of sailing a backhand pass off the wall under duress.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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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 8 Feb. 2025.
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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