off-the-cuff

[awf-thuh-kuhf, of-]

adjective

1. with little or no preparation; extemporaneous; impromptu.

   a speaker with a good off-the-cuff delivery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-the-cuff¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Idioms and Phrases

Impromptu, extemporaneous, as in His speech was entirely off the cuff. This term supposedly alludes to the practice of speakers making last-minute notes on the cuff of a shirtsleeve. [1930s]

Example Sentences

His predecessor, Francis, was a charismatic Argentinian known for his off-the-cuff comments and dramatic gestures.

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Few people deliver more creative off-the-cuff insults than lawyers.

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The chancellor went to some effort in her off-the-cuff UK sales pitch to worldwide investors in the US last week.

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In the prosecution's closing speech, Mr Ratliff said the alleged threat to kill was "not some off-the-cuff comment" and the video was "sinister and menacing".

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A love of off-the-cuff attacking rugby was one of the reasons behind her move from Saracens to Loughborough Lightning in 2020.

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