bluffing

Verb (1)

bluff (third-person singular simple present bluffs, present participle bluffing, simple past and past participle bluffed)

1. To make a bluff; to give the impression that one’s hand is stronger than it is.
   • John bluffed by betting without even a pair.
2. (by analogy) To frighten, deter, or deceive with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate or gain some advantage.
   • The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing?
3. To perform or achieve by bluffing.
   • We bluffed our way past the guards.
4. (Manglish, Singlish) To give false information intentionally, to lie (to someone), to deceive; to put on an act.
   • Vinod, you want to bluff the doctor, your mother, father, uncle, auntie, CMPB all that I don't care. But you cannot bluff me.1993, Haresh Sharma, Off Centre, Ethos Books, →ISBN, Act 3, scene I, page 86, lines 1–4

Verb (2)

bluff (third-person singular simple present bluffs, present participle bluffing, simple past and past participle bluffed)

1. To fluff, puff or swell up.
   • Not a sparrow on the cottage thatch, where the chimney's warmth had thawed the snow, that did not seem to have his great coat on, so bluffed out were the feathers, and not a frozen-out duck who did not glance up at the icicles hanging to the roof, and quack a prayer for rain.1866, Grantley F[itzhardinge] Berkeley, “Incidents of Sport”, in My Life and Recollections. … Complete in Four Volumes, volume III, London: Hurst and Blackett, publishers, successors to Henry...

See all 25 meanings of bluff