| English > English | |
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| bluffing | |
| 1. n. A bluff; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate. |  |
| bluff | |
| 1. n. An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio. | |
| That is only bluff, or a bluff. | |
| 2. n. (poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than they actually do. | |
| John's bet was a bluff: he bet without even so much as a pair. | |
| 3. n. (US, dated) The card game poker. | |
| 4. n. One who bluffs; a bluffer. | |
| 5. n. (slang) An excuse. | |
| 6. v. (poker) 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. | |
| 7. v. (by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and 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? | |
| 8. v. To take advantage by bluffing. | |
| We bluffed our way past the guards. | |
| 9. n. A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face. | |
| 10. n. (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow. | |
| 11. adj. Having a broad, flattened front. | |
| the bluff bows of a ship | |
| 12. adj. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. | |
| 13. adj. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough. | |
| 14. adj. Roughly frank and hearty in one's manners. | |
| a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain | |
| 15. v. To fluff, puff or swell up. | |
