Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object)
- to force upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably (usually followed by on or upon): to foist inferior merchandise on a customer.
- to bring, put, or introduce surreptitiously or fraudulently (usually followed by in or into): to foist political views into a news story.
verb (tr)
- (often foll by off or on) to sell or pass off (something, esp an inferior article) as genuine, valuable, etc
- (usually foll by in or into) to insert surreptitiously or wrongfully
1540s, from Dutch vuisten “take in hand,” from Middle Dutch vuist “fist” (see fist). Earliest sense was cheating at dice by concealing a loaded one in the palm of the hand with the intention of introducing it into play; meaning “introduce surreptitiously” is from 1560s. Related: Foisted; foisting.