Definition

Verb: - To cause an opponent in a card game, especially poker, to fold (discard) their hand by making a bold bet or display of confidence, despite holding a weaker set of cards. The goal is to deceive the opponent into believing your hand is stronger than it actually is, forcing them to abandon what would have been a winning hand.

Usage

This verb is used specifically in the context of competitive card games, primarily poker. It describes a strategic, deceptive action taken by a player. - He managed to bluff out his opponent with a large bet on the river. - She bluffed out the table with her aggressive betting, even though she only had a pair of twos.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used metaphorically in non-gambling contexts to describe successfully intimidating or deceiving someone into backing down from a confrontation or withdrawing a superior position through a show of false confidence.
  • The smaller company bluffed out the larger competitor by announcing a non-existent new product, causing them to cancel their market entry.

Variants and Related Words

• Bluff (verb/noun): The core action or instance of deceiving an opponent with a show of strength. (e.g., / )
• Bluffer (noun): A person who frequently bluffs.

Synonyms

• Out-bluff
• Intimidate into folding

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bluff into (something): To deceive or persuade someone into doing something by bluffing.
  • He bluffed his rival into making a costly mistake.

Verb

1. deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand