Phrasal Verbs

fob off (2)

This page is about the phrasal verb fob off (2)

INFORMAL

Meaning

to try to make someone stop complaining or stop bothering you by telling them something that isn't true, or by giving them an excuse

For example

  • After I complained about getting tinned peas, the manager of the restaurant tried to fob me off with some excuse about fresh peas not being in season.

  • The workers refused to be fobbed off with a vague promise of bigger bonuses in future if profits improved.

Quick Quiz

When she took the faulty monitor back, the salesman tried to fob her off with

a. an offer to replace it immediately

b. a promise to inform the manufacturer

c. a full refund
a) an offer to replace it immediately b) a promise to inform the manufacturer c) a full refund

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey