gaff

2
[ gaf ]
/ gæf /

noun

harsh treatment or criticism: All the gaff he took never made him bitter.

Idioms for gaff

    stand/take the gaff, Slang. to weather hardship or strain; endure patiently.

Origin of gaff

2
1895–1900, Americanism; compare earlier British use: nonsense, humbug, Scots dial.: loud laugh, guffaw; of uncertain origin; cf. guff

Words nearby gaff

gaelic, gaelic coffee, gaelic football, gaeltacht, gaeta, gaff, gaff rig, gaff sail, gaff topsail, gaff-rigged, gaff-topsail

British Dictionary definitions for stand the gaff (1 of 3)

gaff 1
/ (ɡæf) /

noun

angling a stiff pole with a stout prong or hook attached for landing large fish
nautical a boom hoisted aft of a mast to support a gaffsail
a metal spur fixed to the leg of a gamecock

verb (tr)

angling to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff
slang to cheat; hoax

Word Origin for gaff

C13: from French gaffe, from Provençal gaf boathook

British Dictionary definitions for stand the gaff (2 of 3)

gaff 2
/ (ɡæf) /

noun

slang foolish talk; nonsense
blow the gaff British slang to divulge a secret
stand the gaff slang, mainly US and Canadian to endure ridicule, difficulties, etc

Word Origin for gaff

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for stand the gaff (3 of 3)

gaff 3
/ (ɡæf) /

noun British slang, archaic

a person's home, esp a flat
Also called: penny-gaff a cheap or low-class place of entertainment, esp a cheap theatre or music hall in Victorian England

Word Origin for gaff

C18: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases with stand the gaff (1 of 2)

stand the gaff

Take severe criticism or other adversity in stride, as in If you can't stand the gaff, don't try running for office. [Slang; late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with stand the gaff (2 of 2)

gaff

see stand the gaff.