Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
2. the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg

Verb

1. confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs
   • The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime
2. hit with the hand