foist

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to force an unwanted, inferior, or deceptive thing on someone

   The seller tried to foist a damaged appliance on an inexperienced buyer.

2. 2
   verb

   to insert something secretly, improperly, or without justification

   An editor accused the writer of trying to foist invented details into the historical record.

Common collocations

• foist off Verb + adverb

Probably from an obsolete Dutch verb related to vuist, 'fist,' and the idea of taking or concealing something in the hand. Early English senses involved cheating or inserting a false item; the modern construction foist something on someone preserves that deceptive force.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images