puff piece

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a newspaper article, book, public-relations film, etc., whose purpose is to praise or flatter.

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puff piece British  

noun

1. a flattering newspaper or magazine article about a person or an organization

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puff piece Idioms  

1. An approving or flattering article, as in That was really a puff piece about the conductor, written by her cousin. The use of puff for “exaggerated praise” dates from about 1600; piece was added in the mid-1900s.

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Example Sentences

Williams: One of the first things I said to Brooklyn was I don’t want to make a puff piece.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023

Occupying the entire above-the-fold portion of the page that day, it seemed intended as a puff piece that sought to convey some mix of sympathy and levity.

From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2022

War bonds were still being advertised to “Help Finish the Job!” opposite pages with a puff piece extolling the charms of a recent debutante.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2020

Grant called the show, for which he appeared and denied being the source there too, a Jordan puff piece.

From Washington Times • May 19, 2020

From @gb4bedfordfalls: She’s gauging it on your obvious hackery puff piece.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2019