stiff
stiff — verb
- stiffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stiffs3rd person singular
- stiffing-ing form
- stiffedpast simple
1. to cheat someone by making a promise or offer that you do not intend to keep, of
to cheat someone by making a promise or offer that you do not intend to keep, often taking their money without delivering what was agreed
The contractor stiffed the homeowners by taking their deposit and never starting the work.
Élise warned her friends not to trust that jeweller, who had stiffed several customers before.
stiff + someone + on something
Lakan felt cheated when his business partner stiffed him on their joint investment.
The company stiffed its suppliers for months before finally shutting down.
- stiff someone on a deal
- stiff someone on a promise
- stiff the customers
Grammar Patterns
stiff + someone
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase
be stiffed by + someone
Usage Note
Commonly used with the preposition 'on' to specify what was promised. The passive form ('be stiffed') is frequent in complaints about businesses.
2. to deliberately avoid paying someone for work or services that they have already
to deliberately avoid paying someone for work or services that they have already done, leaving them out of pocket
The crew threatened to leave when the manager stiffed them on their wages.
Caleb hired a lawyer after the client stiffed him for the renovation work.
stiff + someone + for + noun phrase (payment)
That landlord has a reputation for stiffing tenants on their security deposits.
Yael found that the company had stiffed her on overtime pay for months.
- stiff someone on wages
- stiff someone on a bill
- stiff someone for payment
Grammar Patterns
stiff + someone
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3: sense 2 is about any owed money (wages, rent, deposits), while sense 3 is specifically about tips for a service.
3. to refuse to leave a tip for a worker who has served you, such as a waiter, hair
to refuse to leave a tip for a worker who has served you, such as a waiter, hairdresser, or delivery driver
Obi always felt guilty when he accidentally stiffed the delivery driver on a rainy night.
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase (tip)
The group at table seven stiffed the waiter on a bill over five hundred dollars.
Chidi stiffed the hairdresser after a three-hour appointment, and the salon refused to book him again.
Sivan complained to the manager after the customer stiffed her on the manicure service.
- stiff the waiter
- stiff someone on a tip
- stiff the delivery driver
- leave no tip
neutral, factual description without the negative tone of 'stiff'
- tip generously
the opposite action
Grammar Patterns
stiff + someone
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase
Usage Note
Primarily used in cultures where tipping is customary. The object is always a person who provided a service.
Common Mistakes
4. to withhold something that someone has a right to expect or has been promised, s
to withhold something that someone has a right to expect or has been promised, such as time, access, or resources
The prison guards stiffed the inmates on their allotted phone time that week.
Ezra's uncle stiffed him on the promised birthday gift, saying he had changed his mind.
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase (promised item)
Farm workers claimed the company stiffed them on the break time required by law.
The coach was accused of stiffing the athletes on the training gear they were promised.
- stiff someone on a promise
- stiff someone on time
- stiff the team
- deny
more formal and neutral; lacks the informal, accusing tone of 'stiff'
- short-change
originally about money but also used figuratively for anything owed
- provide
to give what is expected or promised
Grammar Patterns
stiff + someone
stiff + someone + on + noun phrase
be stiffed
Usage Note
The object of this sense is a non-monetary benefit (time, equipment, opportunity), whereas sense 2 is specifically about money owed.
5. to kill someone deliberately, especially in a planned or organized way linked to
to kill someone deliberately, especially in a planned or organized way linked to criminal activity
The mob boss ordered his men to stiff the informant before the trial.
Detectives uncovered evidence that the missing witness had been stiffed by a rival gang.
passive: be stiffed by + someone
The body was found in a warehouse, and neighbours whispered the man had been stiffed.
The movie shows how the gang stiffed a rival dealer to take over his territory.
- stiff the informant
- stiff a witness
- stiff a rival
Grammar Patterns
stiff + someone
be stiffed
Usage Note
This is very informal slang found mainly in crime fiction, organised-crime contexts, or underworld reporting. It would sound odd or theatrical in everyday conversation about killing.
Common Mistakes
6. to perform poorly as a business, making very little or no profit and often closi
to perform poorly as a business, making very little or no profit and often closing down as a result
The restaurant stiffed within six months because of poor reviews and high rent.
Despite a strong start, the tech startup stiffed after its main investor pulled out.
Naoko feared her catering business would stiff within its first year of operation.
intransitive use: business + stiffs
The market was so crowded that even well-funded companies stiffed within their first year.
- business stiffs
- startup stiffed
- restaurant stiffed
- thrive
to do well and grow
Grammar Patterns
stiff (no object)
Usage Note
This sense is intransitive — there is no object. A business 'stiffs' (fails), but you cannot 'stiff a business' in this sense. The phrase 'stiff it out' is unrelated.
Common Mistakes
7. in golf, to strike the ball so cleanly that it comes to rest within a short dist
in golf, to strike the ball so cleanly that it comes to rest within a short distance of the hole, often from far away and with precise skill
Amihan stiffed her approach shot to within a few feet of the flag.
golf: stiff + shot to within [distance] of hole
The golf pro showed the students how to stiff the ball close to the cup.
transitive: stiff + the ball + close to
From two hundred yards away, Talia managed to stiff her shot perfectly.
Kofi's caddie cheered when he stiffed the ball just two feet from the hole.
golf context: stiff + distance marker + from the hole
With a smooth swing, Beatriz stiffed her second shot to within three metres.
- stiff an approach shot
- stiff it to within [distance]
- stiff the ball
- stiff a long iron
- stick it
informal golf term, same meaning of hitting the ball close to the pin
- knock it close
informal phrase describing the same result in golf
- hit it tight
golf slang, describes a shot that lands very near the flag
Grammar Patterns
stiff + a shot / the ball / it + (to within a distance)
Usage Note
Only used in golf. Typically describes a long approach shot that ends up very close to the pin. In golf commentary, often shortened to 'stiff it'.
Common Mistakes
stiff — noun
- stiffsingular
- stiffsplural
1. an informal word for a person when you want to describe what kind of person they
an informal word for a person when you want to describe what kind of person they are or what situation they are in — often used with an adjective such as 'poor,' 'lucky,' or 'working' and sometimes suggesting sympathy or mild humour
The poor stiff stood in the rain for over an hour waiting for a bus.
collocation: poor stiff
Antonia is a working stiff who gets up at six and takes a train to work.
collocation: working stiff
Some lucky stiff at the office won the raffle and took home a new bicycle.
collocation: lucky stiff
An old stiff sat at the bar, nursing a beer and talking to no one.
- poor stiff
- working stiff
- lucky stiff
- old stiff
- unlucky stiff
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] + stiff
Usage Note
Almost always appears with a preceding adjective that describes the person's character or situation. Without an adjective this sense sounds unnatural in most contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. a dead body, especially of a person, referred to in a casual or humorous way — c
a dead body, especially of a person, referred to in a casual or humorous way — common in crime fiction, detective stories, and informal conversation about death
The detective found a stiff in the back alley behind the old theatre.
typical usage in crime contexts
In the first chapter, two kids discover a stiff in the woods near their school.
Élise's job at the coroner's office meant she dealt with stiffs almost every day.
informal register for a serious topic
The horror movie opens with teenagers finding a stiff in a dusty basement.
Yara joked that if she became a stiff, her funeral should end with a party.
- find a stiff
- discover a stiff
- turn into a stiff
Grammar Patterns
a stiff
the stiff
Usage Note
This is a slang term and may be seen as disrespectful in formal or sensitive situations. Avoid using it when talking about someone's deceased relative or in a funeral context.
Common Mistakes
stiff upper lip
idiomthe ability to stay calm and hide your emotions when you are in pain, trouble, or a difficult situation — a quality that is especially associated with traditional British culture
Despite losing his job and his flat in the same week, Reuben kept a stiff upper lip and refused to complain.
The old war film is full of soldiers who maintain a stiff upper lip even when things go terribly wrong.
stiff — adjective
- stiffpositive
- stiffercomparative
- stiffestsuperlative
1. describes a material or object that is firm and hard, keeping its shape when you
describes a material or object that is firm and hard, keeping its shape when you press or squeeze it instead of bending or feeling soft
The new leather shoes felt too stiff for Vivek to walk comfortably.
collocation: stiff leather / stiff fabric
Beatriz used a stiff brush to scrub the dirt off the kitchen tiles.
The cardboard was stiff enough to hold the weight of several heavy books.
Quan preferred a stiff mattress because soft ones always hurt his back.
collocation: stiff mattress / stiff cardboard
- stiff brush
- stiff cardboard
- stiff leather
- stiff fabric
- stiff mattress
Usage Note
Commonly describes materials that resist pressure: cardboard, fabric, brush bristles, leather, and mattress surfaces.
2. difficult to move, slide, or operate because the parts do not move against each
difficult to move, slide, or operate because the parts do not move against each other as easily as they should
The window frame was so stiff that Élise could not slide it open.
stiff + object + cannot move freely
Karim pulled hard on the stiff drawer handle until it finally opened.
After years without use, the lock had grown stiff and would not turn.
Ryo oiled the stiff hinges on the garden gate to make them swing smoothly.
Dylan found that the stiff gears made the old bicycle very hard to pedal.
stiff [mechanism] = hard to operate
- stiff lock
- stiff hinge
- stiff drawer
- stiff gear
- stiff window
Usage Note
Often used for mechanical parts — locks, hinges, drawers, window frames, or gears — that have become difficult to move due to lack of use or lack of lubrication.
Common Mistakes
3. describes muscles or joints that hurt when you try to use them, often because yo
describes muscles or joints that hurt when you try to use them, often because you have exercised hard or stayed in the same position for too long
Chidi's legs were so stiff after the long hike that he could barely climb the stairs.
stiff + body part + after exercise
Mia woke up with a stiff neck because her pillow was too thick.
common pattern: stiff neck / stiff shoulders / stiff back
Sitting at a desk all day made Aaron's shoulders feel stiff and sore.
A hot bath can help ease stiff muscles after a long day of physical work.
Nkechi's knees felt stiff every morning until she did a few gentle stretches.
- stiff neck
- stiff shoulders
- stiff back
- stiff legs
- stiff muscles
- stiff joints
Usage Note
Frequently used with body parts: neck, shoulders, back, legs, knees, muscles, joints. Often occurs after physical activity or after staying in one position (e.g. sitting, sleeping).
Common Mistakes
4. showing very formal, correct, and controlled behaviour that makes you seem unfri
showing very formal, correct, and controlled behaviour that makes you seem unfriendly or uncomfortable around others
The new manager's stiff manner made the staff feel nervous during team meetings.
stiff manner / stiff attitude = unfriendly formality
Beatriz gave a stiff smile when her boss criticised her report in the meeting.
Esme found the formal dinner too stiff and much preferred casual evenings with her friends.
The diplomat's stiff bow showed politeness on the surface but no real warmth.
Vivek's writing was too stiff for the college essay, so his teacher advised a more natural tone.
- stiff manner
- stiff smile
- stiff attitude
- stiff atmosphere
- stiff writing
Usage Note
Can describe a person's behaviour, facial expression (stiff smile), social atmosphere (stiff dinner party), or even writing style. Distinguish from sense 1 and 2 — this sense describes social stiffness, not physical.
Common Mistakes
5. more severe, strict, or difficult than what is normal or expected — for example,
more severe, strict, or difficult than what is normal or expected — for example, a punishment, a penalty, a test, or a business situation
The judge gave a stiff sentence of ten years for the armed robbery.
collocation: stiff sentence / stiff penalty / stiff fine
New companies face stiff competition from well-established brands in the market.
collocation: stiff competition
Hari had to pay a stiff fine for leaving his car in a no-parking zone.
The final exam had a stiff pass rate, with only thirty percent of students succeeding.
Drivers who break the speed limit may receive a stiff punishment under the new law.
- stiff sentence
- stiff fine
- stiff penalty
- stiff competition
- stiff exam
- stiff punishment
Usage Note
Common with penalties (stiff fine, stiff sentence), competitive environments (stiff competition), and challenges (stiff exam). Distinguish from sense 4 — this is about severity of a situation, not social formality. Distinguish from adjective_b2 sense 8 (stiff price = expensive).
Common Mistakes
6. blowing with noticeable force, making it hard to walk, cycle, or keep objects in
blowing with noticeable force, making it hard to walk, cycle, or keep objects in place — used of wind, breeze, or gusts
A stiff wind blew Walid's hat off as he walked along the beach.
collocation: stiff wind / stiff breeze
The sailors waited for a stiff breeze to fill the sails of their small boat.
Aaron found it hard to cycle against the stiff wind on his way to work.
A stiff northerly wind brought a sharp drop in temperature across the city.
The children flew their kites high in the stiff spring breeze.
- stiff wind
- stiff breeze
- stiff gust
Usage Note
Typically used with wind, breeze, or gust. Does not apply to general weather conditions (a 'stiff storm' is not idiomatic). Distinguish from adjective_b2 sense 7 (stiff drink = strong alcohol) — this sense is limited to wind.
7. A stiff alcoholic drink has a high proportion of alcohol and very little dilutio
A stiff alcoholic drink has a high proportion of alcohol and very little dilution — so it tastes sharp and affects you quickly.
Minh ordered a stiff whisky with just one ice cube.
collocation: stiff drink / stiff whisky
A stiff cocktail like a dry martini may contain almost nothing but alcohol.
The bartender warned Eshe that the house punch was particularly stiff.
For anyone unused to strong spirits, a stiff drink can hit the throat hard.
Valentina felt the whisky was too stiff and asked for more soda water.
- stiff drink
- stiff whisky
- stiff gin
- stiff cocktail
- stiff brandy
- weak
describes a drink with little alcohol or one that has been heavily diluted
- watered-down
informal; specifically means extra water or mixer was added, reducing strength
Grammar Patterns
stiff + drink noun (whisky, cocktail, etc.)
Usage Note
Used only with alcoholic drinks — never with soft drinks, tea, or coffee.
Common Mistakes
8. describes a price, fee, fine, or other cost that is very high and often feels un
describes a price, fee, fine, or other cost that is very high and often feels unreasonable or difficult to pay.
Rohan had to pay a stiff fine for parking in a restricted zone.
collocation: stiff fine / stiff price / stiff fee
The admission fee at the theme park was rather stiff for a family of four.
Buying a house in this neighbourhood means accepting a stiff mortgage.
Élise was shocked by the stiff bill for a simple dinner at that restaurant.
The cost of the repair turned out to be much stiffer than Adina had expected.
- stiff price
- stiff fine
- stiff fee
- stiff bill
- stiff mortgage
- stiff fare
- steep
very close in meaning; slightly more informal and common in everyday speech
- high
more neutral; lacks the implication that the cost is unfair or hard to bear
- exorbitant
formal and stronger; suggests the price is far beyond what is reasonable
- cheap
describes a low price, opposite of expensive
- reasonable
suggests the cost is fair and not excessive
Grammar Patterns
stiff + cost noun (price, fine, fee, bill)
be + stiff
Usage Note
Most common with nouns for charges or penalties — price, fine, fee, bill, fare, mortgage, tax. Rarely used with the cost of everyday small items such as a loaf of bread.
Common Mistakes
9. extremely drunk, to the point where you have trouble walking, speaking clearly,
extremely drunk, to the point where you have trouble walking, speaking clearly, or thinking straight.
After three glasses of wine, Feng was completely stiff and could barely walk.
informal register: 'stiff' for 'very drunk'
Mei got so stiff at the wedding party that her friends had to call a taxi.
The old man at the bar was already stiff by nine o'clock in the evening.
Hannah warned herself not to get stiff before her job interview the next morning.
Mira gave Christopher a ride home because he was too stiff to drive.
- get stiff
- completely stiff
- absolutely stiff
- stiff from drinking
- sober
the direct opposite; completely free of alcohol effects
Grammar Patterns
be/get + stiff
stiff from/after [alcohol]
Usage Note
Used only after a linking verb (be, get, become) — you would not say 'a stiff man' to mean a drunk man, because that would be understood as rigid or formal. Predicative only.
Common Mistakes
10. showing firm determination and refusing to change your opinion, decision, or pos
showing firm determination and refusing to change your opinion, decision, or position, even when others disagree or pressure you.
The union leader remained stiff in her demands despite pressure from management.
collocation: remain + stiff + in [demands/position]
Grandfather was stiff about keeping the old traditions alive in the family.
Feng took a stiff stance against any changes to the school curriculum.
Even when the whole team disagreed, the coach kept a stiff attitude about the training plan.
Adina stood stiff in her decision to study abroad despite her parents' worries.
- stiff stance
- stiff attitude
- stiff position
- stiff refusal
- remain stiff
- stand stiff
- stubborn
more negative; suggests unreasonable refusal to change
- resolute
more positive and formal; emphasises admirable firmness of purpose
- unyielding
formal; describes someone who will not give in under pressure
Grammar Patterns
stiff + stance/attitude/position
remain/stand + stiff + in/about [something]
Usage Note
Often carries a slightly negative tone when describing someone as inflexible, but can be positive (praising someone's resolve) when the context supports it. Compare with STUBBORN / RESOLUTE vs STRICT / HARSH (adj/5): sense 5 describes rules or punishments that are severe; this sense describes a person's attitude or stance.
Common Mistakes
11. describes a substance — especially a mixture, paste, dough, or cream — that is t
describes a substance — especially a mixture, paste, dough, or cream — that is thick and heavy, so that it offers resistance when you try to stir, spread, or beat it.
Beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes stiff and glossy.
collocation: stiff mixture / stiff dough / stiff paste
The dough was too stiff to roll out, so Rohan added a little more milk.
A good cement paste should be stiff enough to hold its shape on the trowel.
Cook the porridge until it turns stiff and starts to pull away from the pan.
Hannah beat the cream until it formed stiff peaks that stood up on their own.
- stiff dough
- stiff mixture
- stiff paste
- stiff cream
- stiff peaks
- stiff batter
- stiff cement
Grammar Patterns
stiff + mixture/paste/dough noun
become/get/turn + stiff
Usage Note
Common in recipes and cooking instructions, especially for dough, batter, cream, frosting, and paste. Also used in DIY contexts for cement, plaster, and glue mixtures.
Common Mistakes
12. describes a dose, medicine, chemical, or substance that is very strong and has a
describes a dose, medicine, chemical, or substance that is very strong and has a powerful effect on the body or on materials.
The doctor warned Mira that the medicine was very stiff and might make her sleepy.
collocation: stiff dose / stiff medicine
This cleaning fluid is so stiff that you should wear gloves when using it.
A stiff dose of caffeine can keep you awake for hours after your last cup.
The chemical spray used on the crops was too stiff for home gardens.
The smell of the disinfectant was so stiff that it made Élise's eyes water.
- stiff dose
- stiff medicine
- stiff chemical
- stiff anaesthetic
- stiff cleaning fluid
- potent
the most direct synonym; very close in meaning and register, often used for medicines and chemicals
- strong
more general and common; less specific to the idea of a powerful effect
- concentrated
focuses on the lack of dilution rather than the effect itself
Grammar Patterns
stiff + effect noun (dose, medicine, chemical)
Usage Note
Differs from STRONG ALCOHOL (sense 7): sense 7 is restricted to alcoholic drinks, while this sense applies to medicines, chemicals, cleaning products, and other substances that produce a powerful physiological or material effect.
Common Mistakes
To stay calm and not show your emotions when you are upset or in trouble.
Even after losing the game, Mia kept a stiff upper lip.
Did Brian keep a stiff upper lip during the difficult meeting?
stiff — adverb
1. Used after certain verbs that describe feelings or physical conditions, adding t
Used after certain verbs that describe feelings or physical conditions, adding the idea of 'extremely' — for example, being very scared, very bored, very worried, or very cold.
The children were scared stiff when the old house creaked in the wind.
scared stiff — feeling/state verb + stiff
Kasia was bored stiff during the two-hour presentation about yearly budgets.
bored stiff — showing extreme boredom
Jiwoo's mother was worried stiff when the school bus came an hour late.
After the long snowball fight, Tamar's fingers were frozen stiff.
frozen stiff — physical state + stiff
The audience laughed themselves stiff at the comedian's clever jokes.
- scared stiff
- bored stiff
- worried stiff
- frozen stiff
- knocked stiff
Grammar Patterns
emotional/state verb + stiff
get/become + past participle + stiff
Usage Note
This sense of stiff always follows the verb or adjective it intensifies. It cannot be placed before the word it modifies (❌ 'stiff bored') or used as a general intensifier like 'very'.
Common Mistakes
2. In the sport of golf, with such accuracy that the ball ends up very near the hol
In the sport of golf, with such accuracy that the ball ends up very near the hole and requires only a short putt to go in.
Kwame hit his approach shot stiff to within three feet of the pin.
golf: hit + shot + stiff + to within [distance]
From the fairway, Ari played the ball stiff and tapped in for a birdie.
Nora's iron shot from the middle of the fairway landed stiff beside the flag.
golf pattern: landed stiff + beside the flag
With a gentle pitch shot, Diya rolled the ball stiff to the hole.
- hit stiff
- land stiff
- play stiff
- roll stiff
- stiff to the pin
Grammar Patterns
hit/play/land + a shot + stiff
stiff + to + the hole / the flag / the pin
Usage Note
This golf term describes the result of a shot. It is not used in everyday contexts to mean 'close to something' (❌ 'The shop is stiff to my house'). In golf writing and commentary, it may be used with verbs like hit, play, land, roll, or stop.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Stiff, rigid, inflexible, and firm all describe resistance to bending or change, but differ in degree and nuance. Stiff is the most common everyday word — a stiff brush, a stiff door handle, or stiff muscles all resist movement but may still have some give. Rigid is more technical and absolute: something rigid cannot bend at all under normal force (a rigid steel beam, a rigid rule). Inflexible is mostly figurative, describing people, rules, or systems that refuse to adapt (an inflexible schedule, an inflexible negotiator). Firm sits between stiff and soft: a firm handshake or firm mattress offers reassuring support without the negative sense of being hard to work with. In practice: 'His shoes were stiff from the cold' (material), 'The committee was inflexible about the deadline' (attitude), 'The structure is rigid enough to withstand the storm' (engineering), 'She prefers a firm pillow for neck support' (comfort).
Common collocations
Phrases
- stiff competition
- stiff penalty / fine / sentence
- scared stiff
- bored stiff
- stiff drink
- stiff neck / shoulders / back
- stiff breeze / wind
- stiff price / fee / bill
- stiff upper lip
- working stiff
Etymology
Stiff comes from Old English 'stīf', meaning rigid or unbending, which traces back to Proto-Germanic '*stīfaz'. The word is related to Old High German 'stīfi', Old Norse 'stīfr', Dutch 'stijf', and modern German 'steif'. The core meaning of 'not easily bent' has remained stable since the earliest English records, while extended senses for formal behaviour (1500s), strong wind (1600s), and high price (1800s) developed over time. The informal verb sense meaning 'cheat' or 'refuse to pay' emerged in American English in the mid-1800s, and the noun sense 'dead body' followed later as underworld slang in the early 1900s.