bill of goods

noun phrase

1

: a consignment of merchandise

2

: something intentionally misrepresented : something passed off in a deception or fraud

—often used in the phrase sell a bill of goods

Examples of bill of goods in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

We’ve been sold a bill of goods. — Gregory J. Rummo, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

The owner sold us a bill of goods. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

We were being sold a bill of goods. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Student loan borrowers have been sold a bill of goods for years. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bill of goods

• brotherhoods
• cottonwoods
• likelihoods
• livelihoods
• neighborhoods
• backwoods
• childhoods
• falsehoods
• flatwoods
• hardwoods
• priesthoods
• redwoods