The phrase "passed off as" is commonly used to mean something that is presented or accepted as something else, often with a negative connotation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this phrase is /pæst ɒf æz/. The pronunciation of "passed" is with a short "a" sound as in "cat," and the "ed" ending is pronounced as a separate syllable with a soft "d" sound. The word "off" is pronounced with a short "o" sound as in "hot," and "as" is pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat."
"Passed off as" is a phrasal verb that is used to describe a situation where something or someone is deceitfully presented or pretended to be something they are not, usually with the intention to mislead or deceive others. When something is "passed off as" another thing, it means that it is being portrayed or represented as that thing, even though it is not genuine or authentic.
This phrase is often used to highlight instances of fraud, forgery, or deception where an item, an idea, or a person is intentionally misrepresented or falsely represented. For example, counterfeit goods, attempting to sell them with the intent to present them as genuine products, can be said to be "passed off as" the authentic brand. Similarly, an individual who pretends to possess certain qualifications, knowledge, or skills that they actually lack can be said to be "passing themselves off as" an expert in that field.
The term "passed off as" implies that there is a deliberate intention to fool or trick others by imitating or presenting oneself or something else fraudulently. It suggests a misrepresentation that is misleading or deceitful, intending to create a false impression or gain an undeserved advantage.