Words / C2

FOYST/fɔɪst/

To foist is to force someone to accept something they do not want: foist X on Y, a foisted timetable. Impose is a close cousin; force is everyday. Hoist is lift — a lookalike. Do not foist last year’s PDF on this year’s cohort and call it continuity.

Meaning

To force someone to accept something unwanted (foist on).

Examples

• “They foisted last year’s timetable on this year’s cohort.”
• “Impose is formal and close. Force on is everyday. Hoist a flag is lift. Foist implies the thing is unwanted or inferior. A published, consulted change is not foisting.”

Good to know

Impose something unwanted on someone. Everyday: force on. Close: impose. Mix-up: hoist (lift). Consultation is the opposite move.

Near in meaning

impose

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