biff
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
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a blow with the fist
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slang:school a blow to the palm of the hand with a strap or cane as a punishment
verb
Etymology
Origin of biff
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; perhaps imitative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the first point: MoviePass’ old management did indeed biff it spectacularly.
From Slate • Jun. 17, 2023
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 • Jul. 4, 2022
They could biff three and still embarrass the rest of the world.
From Slate • Aug. 12, 2016
After 112 years of ups, downs, the odd success, bubbles, a bit of biff and plenty of sing-songs, West Ham are leaving Upton Park – or the Boleyn Ground, if that’s your preference.
From The Guardian • May 10, 2016
You were quite right, to biff me—because I know you wanted to.
From Women in Love by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.