refiler

The French verb "refiler" means to pass on, to give, or to hand over, often with a slightly informal or negative nuance. It usually implies giving something to someone, sometimes unexpectedly or unwillingly, or passing on something undesirable.

Meaning and usage:

• To give or pass on something to someone, often shifting responsibility or passing along something unwanted.
• It can also mean selling or giving something of low quality or unwanted to someone.

Examples:

• Il m’a refilé ses vieux livres. — He handed down/gave me his old books.
• Ne me refiles pas ce travail à faire ! — Don’t pass that work on to me!
• Ils lui ont refilé un produit défectueux. — They sold/gave him a defective product.

Synonyms and differences:

• Donner: The neutral and general verb for "to give." It does not carry any nuance of passively or unwillingly transferring something.
• Passer: Literally “to pass,” often used for handing objects or passing information. More neutral than "refiler."
• Refiler: Informal; often implies passing on with reluctance or passing something undesirable.
• File (as an imperative from "filer"): Slang for “give” or “hand over” but less formal and sometimes more casual than "refiler."

In summary, "refiler" is an informal verb meaning to give or pass on something, often an unwanted item or responsibility, with a nuance that distinguishes it from more neutral synonyms.