bluff

bluff¹ [blʌf] v [I and T]

[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Probably from Dutch bluffen 'to boast, play a kind of card game']

to pretend something, especially in order to achieve what you want in a difficult or dangerous situation

▪ You wouldn't really tell her. You're bluffing!

bluff your way out of/through/past etc sb/sth

(=go somewhere or succeed in doing something by deceiving someone)

▪ I hope we'll be able to bluff our way past the guard.

▪ 'I was with Don,' she said, deciding to bluff it out (=continue to pretend something) .

bluff sb into (doing) sth

(=make someone do something by deceiving them)

bluff ²

bluff² n

[Sense: 1-2; Date: 1800-1900; Origin: BLUFF¹]

[Sense: 3; Date: 1600-1700; Origin: BLUFF³]

1.) [U and C]

an attempt to deceive someone by making them think you will do something when you do not intend to do it

▪ The threat was only a bluff.

▪ Whatever you say, you must do it. This isn't a game of bluff .

→↑double bluff

2.) call sb's bluff

to tell someone to do what they have threatened because you do not believe that they will really do it

3.)

a very steep cliff or slope

bluff ³

bluff³ adj

[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Early Dutch blaf 'flat']

a bluff person, usually a man, is pleasant but very direct and does not always consider other people

▪ He was a bluff no-nonsense administrator.