cuff

¹

[ kuhf ]

noun

1. a fold or band serving as a trimming or finish for the bottom of a sleeve.
2. a turned-up fold, as at the bottom of a trouser leg.
3. the part of a gauntlet or long glove that extends over the wrist.
4. a separate or detachable band or piece of fabric worn about the wrist, inside or outside of the sleeve.
5. an elasticized, ribbed, or reinforced band at the top of a sock or stocking.
6. a band of leather or other material, wider than a collar, sewed around the outside of the top of a shoe or boot to serve as a trimming or finish.
7. a handcuff:

   I accessorized my costume with cuffs, a badge, and a toy gun.

8. Anatomy. rotator cuff ( def ).
9. Furniture. a horizontal strip of veneer used as an ornament on a leg.
10. Medicine/Medical. an inflatable wrap placed around the upper arm and used in conjunction with a device for recording blood pressure.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a cuff or cuffs on:

   to cuff a pair of trousers.

2. to put handcuffs on:

   The officer was quick to cuff the suspect and read him his rights.

3. Slang. to start an exclusive relationship with:

   You’ve gotta cuff her if you want to keep her.

cuff

²

[ kuhf ]

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with the open hand; beat; buffet.

noun

1. a blow with the fist or the open hand; buffet.

cuff

¹

/ kʌf /

noun

1. the part of a sleeve nearest the hand, sometimes turned back and decorative
2. the part of a gauntlet or glove that extends past the wrist
3. the turned-up fold at the bottom of some trouser legs Also called (in eg Britain)turn-up
4. off the cuff informal.
   improvised; extemporary

cuff

²

/ kʌf /

verb

1. tr to strike with an open hand

noun

1. a blow of this kind

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuff¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cuffe “mitten”; perhaps akin to Old English cuffie “cap,” from Medieval Latin cuphia; coif ²

Origin of cuff²

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps from a Scandinavian language; compare Norwegian, Swedish dialect kuffa “to push, shove”; also German cant kuffen “to thrash”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuff¹

C14 cuffe glove, of obscure origin

Origin of cuff²

C16: of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the cuff, Informal.
   1. extemporaneously; on the spur of the moment:

      She made those comments off the cuff, and they came back to haunt her later.

   2. unofficially or informally:

      I'm telling you this strictly off the cuff.

2. on the cuff, Slang.
   1. with the promise of future payment; on credit.
   2. without charge; with no payment expected:

      He enjoyed his meal the more because it was on the cuff.

More idioms and phrases containing cuff

see off the cuff ; on the cuff .

Example Sentences

"When we look at the very basis for this defamation case, I think it's not smart for him to just be going off the cuff and spouting off whatever he wants in public like this," criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis told NewsNation.

From Salon

Chances are, if there’s someone on your gift list that’s into cuff links, they’ve already got a lot of cuff links, which makes finding wrist candy that’s truly unique a challenge.

From Los Angeles Times

Yamamoto left his next start early because of a rotator cuff strain and did not return until September.

From Los Angeles Times

"So, he has fun at the rallies. He says things that are off the cuff. I’ve been in those events. I’ve been in those arenas, and people have a great time at those arenas," he said.

From Salon

When Cohn learns that Trump has gifted him fake-diamond cuff links for what will turn out to be his final birthday, Strong invests the petty indignity with pathos, as a man who would step over anyone to get ahead realizes he’s subject to the same ruthless forces.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belt
• sock