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Bluff vs Threat - What's the difference?

bluff | threat |

As nouns the difference between bluff and threat

is that bluff is an act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio while threat is an expression of intent to injure or punish another.

As verbs the difference between bluff and threat

is that bluff is ( To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is while threat is to press; urge; compel.

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

    *

    threat

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
  • * (William Shakespeare)
  • There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats .
  • An indication of imminent danger.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katrina G. Claw
  • , title= Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.}}
  • A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
  • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.}}

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To press; urge; compel.
  • (archaic) To threaten.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.vii:
  • An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye
  • * 1599 , , V. i. 37:
  • O yes, and soundless too; / For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, / And very wisely threat before you sting.
  • (label) To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.