biff

¹

[ bif ]

noun

1. a blow; punch.

verb (used with object)

1. to hit; punch.

biff

²

[ bif ]

noun

1. biffy.

biff

/ bɪf /

noun

1. a blow with the fist
2. slang:school.
   a blow to the palm of the hand with a strap or cane as a punishment

verb

1. tr to give (someone) such a blow

Word History and Origins

Origin of biff¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of biff¹

C20: probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“Royals are not puppets of the press, since — if they have any sense — they realize they can be biffed as well as praised. The wise ones know how to take the rough with the smooth.’

From Seattle Times

Lees walked down the track to Mohammed Shami in the second over of the innings and later greeted the spin of Ravindra Jadeja with a biff down the ground followed by a reverse sweep.

From BBC

I picked it up, he walked back in, saw me touching his guitar and biffed me.

From Los Angeles Times

The event closed with the more appropriate “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful,” but the keyboardist biffed the intro to the first and the singer strangled the final note of the second.

From Washington Post

“I don’t know if anyone has biffed anything as bad as the federal government biffed their management of this,” she says.

From Washington Post