verb
foist
FOYST/fˈɔɪst/
Force something unwanted or fraudulent on someone.
A man foists a broken fan on a woman who refuses it.
Etymology
Probably from Dutch “take in hand,” foist first described cheating at dice by slipping a loaded die from the palm into play. That trickery broadened into imposing something fraudulent or unwanted on someone.
In context
shyers would foist off land on the PE onto unsuspecting people when they knew that the land had oil on it
More examples
- Don't foist your unfinished work on me.
- The dealer tried to foist a fake painting on us.
- She resents having extra fees foisted on her.
Forms
foist · foists · foisted · foisting
Similar words
- impose
- Also covers enforcing rules or obligations, without suggesting deception.
- unload
- Emphasizes getting rid of something burdensome by transferring it.