sell a bill of goods

noun

1. a quantity or consignment of salable items, as an order, shipment, etc.
2. Informal. a misrepresented, fraudulent, or defective article.

Idioms

3. sell (someone) a bill of goods, to defraud or deceive someone: He sold me a bill of goods about that used car.

Deceive, swindle, take unfair advantage of, as in He was just selling you a bill of goods when he said he worked as a secret agent, or Watch out if anyone says he wants to trade bikes with you; he’s apt to be selling you a bill of goods. The bill of goods here means “a dishonest offer.” [c. 1920]