huff
[huhf]
- a mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment: Just because you disagree, don't walk off in a huff.
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- to give offense to; make angry.
- to treat with arrogance or contempt; bluster at; hector or bully.
- Checkers. to remove (a piece) from the board as a penalty for failing to make a compulsory capture.
- Slang. to inhale the vapors of in order to become intoxicated: to huff glue.
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- to take offense; speak indignantly.
- to puff or blow; breathe heavily.
- to swell with pride or arrogance; swagger or bluster.
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Origin of huff
1575–85; imitative; see puff
Synonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
snitpuffheaveannoyanceperturbationmiffragepettiffumbragepiquedudgeonpassionstewangeroffensetemperblowgaspexpireExamples from the Web for huffing
Contemporary Examples
He looked like such a fool, pointing and gesturing and huffing and puffing.
One wonders whether the government is huffing and puffing to cover up its own incompetence.
But even if your older gentleman is still breathing, he may not be huffing along vigorously enough to keep you young.
Historical Examples
There is in "Titus" none of Kyd's "huffing, bragging, puft" language.
The Critics Versus ShakspereFrancis A. Smith
Yes, sir: he scorned all Famagosta when he was in his huffing, and now he lies puffing for wind, they say they scorn him.
It was Sheriff Coogan, puffing and huffing, the metal-and-gold cloth uniform ludicrous on his lanky frame.
Dream TownHenry Slesar
Huffing and snubbing, prey upon my feelings; but I can bear them without complaint.
Many cheese makers think that the milk from an animal suffering from a garget may be the cause of the huffing of cheese.
Outlines of dairy bacteriologyH. L. Russell
huffing
- slang the practice of inhaling toxic fumes from glue and other household products for their intoxicating effects
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huff
- a passing mood of anger or pique (esp in the phrase in a huff)
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- to make or become angry or resentful
- (intr) to blow or puff heavily
- Also: blow draughts to remove (an opponent's draught) from the board for failure to make a capture
- (tr) obsolete to bully
- huffing and puffing empty threats or objections; bluster
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Word Origin
C16: of imitative origin; compare puff
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for huffing
huff
v.
mid-15c., apparently imitative of exhaling. Extended sense of "bluster with indignation" is attested from 1590s. Related: Huffed; huffing. As a slang term for a type of narcotics abuse, by 1996. As a noun from 1590s; to leave in a huff is recorded from 1778. Popular terms for "strong beer or ale" noted from 1577 include huff cap as well as mad dog and dragon's milk.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with huffing
huff
In addition to the idiom beginning with huff
- huff and puff
also see:
- in a huff
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.