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Bluff vs Threaten - What's the difference?

bluff | threaten |

As verbs the difference between bluff and threaten

is that bluff is ( To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is while threaten is to make a threat against someone; to use threats.

As a noun bluff

is an act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.

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

    * ----

    threaten

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
    • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}}
    He threatened me with a knife.
  • To menace, or be dangerous.
    • The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
  • To portend, or give a warning of.
    • The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See