bluff
2
[ bluhf ]
/ blʌf /
verb (used with object)
to mislead by a display of strength, self-confidence, or the like: He bluffed me into believing that he was a doctor.
to gain by bluffing: He bluffed his way into the job.
Poker.
to deceive by a show of confidence in the strength of one's cards.
verb (used without object)
to mislead someone by presenting a bold, strong, or self-confident front: That open face makes it impossible for him to bluff.
noun
an act or instance or the practice of bluffing: Her pathetic story was all a bluff to get money from us. His assertive manner is mostly bluff.
a person who bluffs; bluffer: That big bluff doesn't have a nickel to his name.
Idioms for bluff
call someone's bluff,
to expose a person's deception; challenge someone to carry out a threat: He always said he would quit, so we finally called his bluff.
Origin of bluff
2
1665–75; perhaps < Low German
bluffen to bluster, frighten; akin to Middle Dutch
bluffen to make a trick at cards
OTHER WORDS FROM bluff
Words nearby bluff
Example sentences from the Web for bluffing
British Dictionary definitions for bluffing (1 of 2)
bluff
1
/ (blʌf) /
verb
to pretend to be confident about an uncertain issue or to have undisclosed resources, in order to influence or deter (someone)
noun
deliberate deception intended to create the impression of a stronger position or greater resources than one actually has
call someone's bluff
to challenge someone to give proof of his claims
Derived forms of bluff
bluffer, nounWord Origin for bluff
C19: originally US poker-playing term, from Dutch
bluffen to boast
British Dictionary definitions for bluffing (2 of 2)
bluff
2
/ (blʌf) /
noun
a steep promontory, bank, or cliff, esp one formed by river erosion on the outside bend of a meander
Canadian
a clump of trees on the prairie; copse
adjective
good-naturedly frank and hearty
(of a bank, cliff, etc) presenting a steep broad face
Derived forms of bluff
bluffly, adverb bluffness, nounWord Origin for bluff
C17 (in the sense: nearly perpendicular): perhaps from Middle Dutch
blaf broad
Idioms and Phrases with bluffing
bluff
see call someone's bluff.