bluff
/blʌf/ (bre, ipa) · [blˈʌf] /blʌf/ (ame, ipa) · [blˈʌf] /ˈbləf/ (ame, mw)
bluff — verb
- bluffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- bluffshe / she / it
- bluffedpast simple
- bluffing-ing form
1. to fool someone by acting as if you are stronger, better informed, ready to act,
to fool someone by acting as if you are stronger, better informed, ready to act, or even a different person
Nora bluffed the border guard by flashing an old hotel badge.
bluff someone with a false sign of authority
Eric kept bluffing at the card table, though his hand was weak.
bluff in poker with weak cards
The caller bluffed Min by claiming the school principal had approved it.
A fake detective badge helped Rohan bluff the watchman outside the warehouse.
- confess
means stating the truth openly instead of hiding it behind an act
文法句型
bluff someone
bluff someone into thinking + clause
bluff an opponent
用法筆記
Often used when someone relies on a show of certainty, power, or inside knowledge rather than real facts. The object is usually the person being pressured or misled.
常見錯誤
2. to enter, escape, or cope with a situation by sounding more certain or informed
to enter, escape, or cope with a situation by sounding more certain or informed than you really are
Nadia bluffed her way into the gala with a borrowed staff pass.
bluff your way into + place
Ife bluffed her way out of trouble by naming the real supplier.
bluff your way out of + trouble
Without the manual, Omar bluffed his way through the machine inspection.
The intern bluffed his way past security by sounding calm and important.
- admit
means openly saying you do not know or cannot do something
文法句型
bluff your way into + place
bluff your way out of + trouble
bluff your way through + event
用法筆記
This sense normally appears in the pattern bluff your way + preposition phrase. It focuses on reaching a result, unlike sense 1, which focuses on deceiving another person directly.
常見錯誤
bluff — noun
- bluffsingular
- bluffsplural
1. an attempt to make other people back down or believe you by acting stronger, cal
an attempt to make other people back down or believe you by acting stronger, calmer, or better prepared than you really are
The coach saw through Javier's bluff and kept the defenders in place.
see through someone's bluff
What looked like a legal threat turned out to be a bluff.
Stephanie's sudden raise was only a bluff to push the sale along.
The union called the company's bluff and refused the rushed contract.
- truth
plain honesty without a false show
文法句型
be a bluff
call someone's bluff
用法筆記
Often used for threats, poker moves, bargaining tactics, and other situations where someone pretends to hold more power than they really do.
2. a high, sharply sloping edge of land, often beside a river or the sea
a high, sharply sloping edge of land, often beside a river or the sea
Children watched fishing boats below the bluff near the wide brown river.
below the bluff
A narrow path climbed the sandy bluff behind the village church.
Storm waves cut into the bluff until part of the fence fell.
The campsite sat on a bluff with reeds growing at its base.
- cliff
broader and does not especially suggest a riverbank shape
- bank
can be much less steep than a bluff
- escarpment
more technical and less common in everyday speech
- plain
flat land without a steep edge
文法句型
on a bluff
below the bluff
a bluff above + place
用法筆記
Used for the landform itself. Distinguish it from adjective sense 3, which describes another noun as having this steep front.
bluff — adjective
- bluffpositive
- bluffercomparative
- bluffestsuperlative
1. speaking in a very plain, honest way that can seem rude to other people
speaking in a very plain, honest way that can seem rude to other people
Stephanie gave a bluff answer that made the new waiter look hurt.
a bluff answer
The manager sounded bluff when he rejected the team's extra leave.
Nadia's bluff tone during the meeting made two junior nurses go quiet.
The email was so bluff that Eric read it twice.
- tactful
shows care not to hurt or offend people
- diplomatic
carefully avoids causing disagreement
文法句型
a bluff answer
sound bluff
be bluff with someone
用法筆記
This sense often has a negative effect on the listener. Distinguish it from sense 2, where the same directness feels hearty or kind rather than sharp.
2. open and straightforward in a warm, good-humored way
open and straightforward in a warm, good-humored way
The old captain had a bluff voice but welcomed every new deckhand.
bluff voice with a friendly effect
Nora liked the farmer's bluff laugh and plain advice.
At dinner, Christopher's bluff jokes helped the nervous guests relax.
The doctor remained bluff and cheerful even after a sleepless shift.
- reserved
less open and less easy in manner
文法句型
a bluff voice
a bluff welcome
remain bluff and cheerful
用法筆記
This sense is approving. It usually describes a person's natural style or welcome, not words that sound harsh in the moment.
3. rising almost straight up with a wide, steep front
rising almost straight up with a wide, steep front
A bluff cliff rose behind the lighthouse at the edge of town.
a bluff cliff
Goats moved along the bluff hillside above the cold green sea.
The road ended where a bluff wall of rock blocked the valley.
Morning fog hid the bluff headland until the sun cleared the bay.
- gentle
describes a gradual rather than sharp slope
文法句型
a bluff cliff
bluff hillside
bluff headland
用法筆記
Mostly used with landscape words such as cliff, bank, coast, or headland. Distinguish it from noun sense 2, which names the landform itself.