bluff

An attempt to make others believe you are stronger or more confident than you really are.

• His threat was a bluff.
• She called my bluff and asked me to prove it.
• Was their promise to fight just a bluff?

Similar words: pretence, deception

Common phrases: call someone's bluff, a clever bluff, an empty bluff, pure bluff

An attempt to make other players believe your cards are better than they really are.

• That big bet was a bluff.
• Her bluff made the other players fold.
• He lost all his chips after a failed bluff.

Common phrases: a poker bluff, a successful bluff, spot a bluff

If you do this, you pretend to be stronger or more confident than you are to trick others.

• I think he is bluffing.
• She bluffed when she had no good cards.
• Can you tell when a player bluffs?

Similar words: pretend

Common phrases: bluff at poker, try to bluff, bluff someone, bluff someone into

To get somewhere or achieve something by pretending to have knowledge, confidence, or authority.

• He bluffed his way inside.
• I bluffed through the questions I could not answer.
• Can she bluff her way into the meeting?

How to use it: bluff your way through something (I bluffed my way through the interview.); bluff your way past someone/something (He bluffed his way past the security guards.)

Similar words: fake one's way

Common phrases: bluff your way, bluff through something, bluff past someone

Speaking or behaving in a direct, friendly way that can seem a little rough.

• He greeted us in his bluff manner.
• Her bluff honesty made people trust her.
• Behind that bluff voice was a kind man.

Similar words: hearty, forthright, blunt

Common phrases: a bluff manner, a bluff voice, bluff good humour

Having a wide, fairly flat front rather than a narrow or pointed one.

• The boat has a bluff bow.
• Waves struck the ship's bluff front.
• These vessels have broad, bluff bows.

Similar words: blunt

Opposites: pointed

Common phrases: bluff bows, a bluff bow, bluff front