cuff
/kʌf/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A band or fold at the end of a sleeve or pant leg: The part of a garment that encircles the wrist or ankle, often folded back or finished with a hem.
- A blow with the open hand; a slap: A hit delivered with the palm of the hand.
- A restraint for the wrist: A metal loop, typically one of a pair, that can be locked around a person's wrist to restrain them; a handcuff.
Verb:
- To strike with the open hand; to slap: To hit someone lightly or playfully with the palm.
- To put handcuffs on; to restrain: To confine someone's wrists with handcuffs or similar restraints.
Usage Examples
Noun (Garment Part):
- He rolled up his sleeves, revealing the crisp white cuff of his shirt.
- The trousers were too long, so she had to adjust the cuff.
Noun (Blow):
- He gave the misbehaving child a gentle cuff on the ear.
- It was more of a playful cuff than a serious hit.
Noun (Restraint):
- The officer placed the metal cuff on the suspect's wrist.
- He felt the cold steel of the cuff tighten.
Verb (To strike):
- She cuffed him lightly on the shoulder to get his attention.
- The old man would cuff any dog that came into his yard.
Verb (To restrain):
- The police cuffed the suspect and read him his rights.
- They were cuffed together for the duration of the transport.
Advanced Usage
"Off the cuff": Spoken or done without preparation; impromptu.
- He gave an excellent off-the-cuff speech at the ceremony.
"On the cuff": On credit; without immediate payment. (Informal)
- In the old days, regulars could get a meal on the cuff.
Variants and Related Words
- Handcuff (n/v): A restraining device for the wrists; to put such devices on someone. (This is a specific type of cuff used for restraint).
- Cufflink (n): A decorative fastener used to secure the two sides of a shirt cuff.
Synonyms
- Noun (Blow): Slap, smack, box.
- Noun (Restraint): Manacle, shackle, fetter.
- Verb (To strike): Slap, smack, thump.
- Verb (To restrain): Manacle, shackle, handcuff.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Cuff someone to something: To secure someone with handcuffs to a fixed object.
- The detective cuffed the prisoner to the chair.
Related Idioms
- Shoot one's cuffs: To adjust one's shirt cuffs so they extend slightly from the jacket sleeves, often as a gesture of readiness or style.
- He straightened his tie and shot his cuffs before entering the meeting.
Noun
- shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
- the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
Verb
- confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs
- The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime
- hit with the hand