bluff

bluff

I

bluff¹ /blʌf/ verb [intransitive and transitive]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 somebody/something (=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 somebody into (doing) something (=make someone do something by deceiving them)

II

bluff² noun1. [uncountable and countable] 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. [countable] a very steep cliff or slope

III

bluff³ adjectivea bluff person, usually a man, is pleasant but very direct and does not always consider other people:
    He was a bluff no-nonsense administrator.