pawn off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To get rid of (something or someone unwanted) by transferring it to another.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
LeMaster was dealt to the even-lowlier Pittsburgh Pirates for a minor league pitcher. The Indians were so anxious to pawn him off on the Pirates that the club even paid Johnnie a $100,000 "assignment fee" to go to Pittsburgh.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pawn off” mean?
To get rid of (something or someone unwanted) by transferring it to another.
Is “pawn off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.