The word "muff" can be used both as a noun and a verb, and it has a couple of different meanings in English. Let’s break it down:
As a Noun:
Definition: In sports, "muff" refers to the act of failing to catch or hold onto a ball, often resulting in a mistake. It can also refer to a warm, tubular covering for the hands. People often use these when it's cold outside.
Example: "He made a muff during the game, and the other team scored a goal because of it." (This means he dropped the ball.)
Example: "She wore a beautiful fur muff to keep her hands warm." (This means a hand warmer.)
As a Verb:
Definition: To "muff" something means to make a mess of it, to ruin it, or to fail at doing something properly.
Example: "I really muffed the presentation; I forgot my main points." (This means the presentation did not go well.)
Example: "He muffed the difficult piano piece and had to start over." (This means he made mistakes while playing.)
Advanced Usage:
Word Variants:
Muffed (past tense): "She muffed the catch."
Muffing (present participle): "He is muffing every shot today."
Muffler: Although related in sound, a muffler is a device used in cars to reduce noise.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
For the noun (in sports): Drop, fumble.
For the verb: Botch, bungle, mess up, screw up.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
"Muff" is a versatile word that can be used in everyday conversation, especially in sports or when talking about mistakes.