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Bluff vs Standoff - What's the difference?

bluff | standoff |

As nouns the difference between bluff and standoff

is that bluff is an act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio while standoff is a device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.

As verbs the difference between bluff and standoff

is that bluff is ( To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is while standoff is nonstandard spelling of lang=en.

As an adjective bluff

is having a broad, flattened front.

As a proper noun Bluff

is the southernmost town in the South Island of New Zealand, and seaport for the Southland region.

bluff

English

(wikipedia bluff)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
    • That is only bluff''', or a '''bluff .
  • (poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than they actually do.
    • John's bet was a bluff : he bet without even so much as a pair.
  • (US, dated) The card game poker.
    • (Bartlett)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • ((poker) To make a bluff ; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
    • John bluffed by betting without even a pair.
  • (by analogy ) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
    • The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing ?

    Derived terms

    * bluffer * double bluff * triple bluff * quadruple bluff * semi-bluff

    Etymology 2

    Related to blaff, "smooth".

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
  • (senseid) (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.

    • Adjective

    (er)
  • Having a broad, flattened front.
    • the bluff bows of a ship
  • Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
  • * Falconer
    • a bluff or bold shore
  • * Judd
    • Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect.
  • Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
  • * 1883:
    • he had a bluff , rough-and-ready face, all roughened and reddened and lined in his long travels.
  • Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque.
    • a bluff''' answer; a '''bluff''' manner of talking; a '''bluff sea captain
  • * I. Taylor
    • There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defence in a moment of surprise.

    References

    *

    External links

    * ----

    standoff

    English

    Alternative forms

    * stand off * stand-off

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.
  • * 2014 , Wikipedia,
    • Feedlines attaching antennas to radio equipment, particularly twin lead type, often must be kept at a distance from metal structures. The insulated supports used for this purpose are called standoff insulators.
  • A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists (see stand off and below).
    • I don't want to get involved in the standoff between those two.
    A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight.

    Derived terms

    * porcelain standoff insulator * Mexican standoff * standoffish

    Verb

    • Usage notes

    * (en-usage-verb-particle-solid)