bluff

³bluff

verb

Definition of BLUFF

transitive verb

1

a : to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength b : deceive c : feign <the catcher bluffed a throw to first>

2

: to deceive (an opponent) in cards by a bold bet on an inferior hand

intransitive verb

: to bluff someone : act deceptively

— bluff·er noun

Examples of BLUFF

1. She says someone else has made her a higher offer, but I think she's bluffing.
2. Don't listen to his threats—he's just bluffing you.
3. I bluffed my way through the interview.

Origin of BLUFF

probably from Dutch bluffen to boast, play a kind of card game

First Known Use: 1791

Related to BLUFF

Synonyms: bamboozle, beguile, deceive, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

Antonyms: undeceive

Related Words: kid, put on, tease; bleed, cheat, chisel, defraud, diddle, euchre, flam, fleece, gyp, hustle, mulct, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle

Near Antonyms: debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover, unmask; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil; disabuse, disenchant, disillusion

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