bluff
noun
[ blʌf ]
• an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or is going to do something.
• "the offer was denounced as a bluff"
Similar:
deception,
subterfuge,
pretence,
sham,
fake,
show,
deceit,
false show,
idle boast,
feint,
delusion,
hoax,
fraud,
masquerade,
charade,
trick,
stratagem,
ruse,
manoeuvre,
scheme,
artifice,
machination,
humbug,
bluster,
bombast,
bragging,
codology,
put-on,
put-up job,
kidology,
bluff
verb
• try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions.
• "he's been bluffing all along"
Similar:
pretend,
sham,
fake,
feign,
put on an act,
put it on,
lie,
hoax,
pose,
posture,
masquerade,
dissemble,
dissimulate,
kid,
deceive,
delude,
mislead,
trick,
fool,
hoodwink,
dupe,
take in,
beguile,
humbug,
bamboozle,
gull,
cheat,
con,
put one over on,
have on,
cozen,
bullshit,
Origin:
late 17th century (originally in the sense ‘blindfold, hoodwink’): from Dutch bluffen ‘brag’, or bluf ‘bragging’. The current sense (originally US, mid 19th century) originally referred to bluffing in the game of poker.
bluff
adjective
• direct in speech or behaviour but in a good-natured way.
• "a big, bluff, hearty man"
Similar:
plain-spoken,
straightforward,
blunt,
direct,
no-nonsense,
frank,
open,
candid,
outspoken,
to the point,
forthright,
unequivocal,
downright,
hearty,
rough,
abrupt,
curt,
gruff,
short,
brusque,
speaking as one finds,
genial,
approachable,
good-natured,
friendly,
straight from the shoulder,
upfront,
Origin:
early 18th century (in the sense ‘surly, abrupt in manner’): figurative use of bluff3. The current positive connotation dates from the early 19th century.
bluff
noun
• a steep cliff, bank, or promontory.
Similar:
cliff,
ridge,
promontory,
headland,
crag,
bank,
slope,
height,
peak,
escarpment,
scarp,
precipice,
rock face,
overhang,
eminence,
• a grove or clump of trees.
bluff
adjective
• (of a cliff or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front.
Origin:
early 17th century (as an adjective, originally in nautical use): of unknown origin.
