bluffing
word · lemma: bluff
/ˈbɫəfɪŋ/
BLUH-fing
/blˈʌfɪŋ/
BLUH-fing
Definition
Pretending to have a stronger position or more confidence than you actually do, often to trick someone. Common in games like poker, but can be used in everyday situations.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal, often used in card games, business, or negotiations. Collocates with 'good at bluffing', 'caught bluffing', 'stop bluffing'. Sometimes means pretending in a non-serious or playful way.
Spanish: fingir - farolear (póker)Portuguese (BR): blefar - fingir (pôquer)Portuguese (PT): blefar - fingir (póquer)Chinese (Simplified): 虚张声势 - 假装 (扑克)Chinese (Traditional): 虛張聲勢 - 假裝 (撲克)Hindi: धोखा देना - झाँसा देनाArabic: يخادع - يموّه (في البوكر)Bengali: ব্লাফিং - ভান করা (মিথ্যা শক্তি দেখানো)Russian: блефоватьJapanese: ブラフする - はったりをかけるVietnamese: đánh lừa - giả vờ mạnh mẽKorean: 블러핑 - 허세 부리기Turkish: blöf yapmak - numara yapmakUrdu: ڈھونگ رچانا - دکھاوا کرناIndonesian: menggertak - berpura-pura
Example Sentences
Are you bluffing, or do you really have the best cards?
basic
Tom tried bluffing to get a better deal.
basic
She’s really good at bluffing during poker night.
natural
I knew you were just bluffing about being late.
natural
Stop bluffing—everyone can see you’re nervous.
natural
He was bluffing about knowing the answer.
basic