1
general::
Phrase(s): shrug something off (as something) [and] pass something off (as something)
to ignore something unpleasant or offensive as if it meant something else. • She shrugged off the criticism as harmless. • I passed off the remark as misinformed. • Bill scolded me, but I just passed it off.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Minimize the importance of, as in That nasty review didn't bother him at all; he just shrugged it off. [Early 1900s] 2. Get rid of, as in She managed to shrug off her drowsiness and keep driving. [Mid1900s] 3. Wriggle out of a garment, as in He shrugged off his coat. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms