Palm Off, To
“Palm off, to” - To pass off something fraudulently, often by concealing it in one’s palm. This sneaky idiom dates back to the 17th century when it was initially termed “to palm on or upon.” Charles Lamb, the witty essayist, perfectly captured its essence in one of his Elia essays (1822): “Have you not tried to palm off a yesterday’s pun?” Let’s be honest, we’ve all done that with leftover jokes!
Related and Similar Terms 🤹♂️
- Foist - To force upon or impose fraudulently.
- Con - To persuade someone by deception or flattery.
- Bamboozle - To trick or deceive someone.
- Pull the wool over someone’s eyes - To deceive someone; to hoodwink.
Synonyms and Antonyms Synonyms
- Synonyms: Deceive, Dupe, Cheat, Swindle.
- Antonyms: Reveal, Expose, Unmask, Disclose.
Humor-Filled Quotes and Proverbs 🤡
- “A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.” - Hector Hugh Munro (Saki)
- “The easiest way to be cheated is to believe yourself to be more cunning than others.” - Pierre Charron
- Italian Proverb: “He who does not deceive does not live.”
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies 📚🎶📽
- Book: “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It … Every Time” by Maria Konnikova.
- Song: “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson – A musical portrayal of slick deception.
- Poetry: “A Poison Tree” by William Blake, illustrating pent-up deceit.
- Movie: “Catch Me If You Can” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a thrilling tale of deception and trickery.
Farewell Thought 💡
Remember, while palming off trickery can sometimes offer a sly momentary thrill, authenticity is the ultimate artistry. Keep it real, and leave illusions for the magic show!
### Which of the following represents the act of deception?
- [x] Palm off
- [ ] Honest Abe
- [ ] Clean as a whistle
- [ ] Straight shooter
> **Explanation:** "Palm off" is indeed about deception, unlike the straightforward nature of the other phrases.
### Which expression means to deceive?
- [x] Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
- [ ] Keeping it 100
- [ ] Standing on ceremony
- [ ] Open book
> **Explanation:** "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" is synonymous with deceiving, in contrast to the transparent honesty implied by other options.
### True or False: 'Foist' has a meaning related to fraudulently imposing.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** It's true! "Foist" means to force upon or impose fraudulently, much like "palm off".
