muff
C1Informal / Dated
Definition
Meaning
A soft, warm, tubular covering, typically made of fur or fleece, into which the hands are placed from opposite ends to keep them warm.
A clumsy or botched attempt at handling something, especially catching a ball; also, a dated slang term for female genitals; less commonly, the end of a trumpet, or a slang term for a foolish person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning (hand-warmer) is dated but still understood. The 'to botch' sense is mainly used in sports commentary and informal contexts. The vulgar slang is very dated and rare in modern usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'botch/drop a catch' meaning is used in both varieties but is perhaps slightly more common in UK sports commentary (e.g., cricket). The slang/vulgar meaning is equally dated in both.
Connotations
The core meaning (hand-warmer) has gentle, old-fashioned, cosy connotations. The verb sense has strong negative connotations of failure and clumsiness.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. Most frequent in historical contexts (hand-warmer) or specific informal situations describing a mistake.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
muff [something] (e.g., muff the catch)make a muff of [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make a muff of it”
- “drop a muff”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except in historical/sociological texts about fashion.
Everyday
Used informally for describing a clumsy mistake, especially dropping something. The noun is rarely used in modern everyday speech.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wicketkeeper muffed a straightforward catch off the edge.
- He completely muffed his lines in the school play.
American English
- The wide receiver muffed the punt return, turning the ball over.
- Don't muff this golden opportunity to invest.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandmother has a fluffy muff.
- It was so cold she kept her hands in her fur muff.
- The player muffed an easy catch, costing his team the game.
- Critics argued that the minister had muffed his response to the crisis, appearing both evasive and ill-informed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a soft, fluffy MUFF that your hands are in; if you 'muff' a catch, it's like the ball slipped out of your warm, muffled hands.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS LOSING ONE'S GRIP (muff a catch). PROTECTION/SOFTNESS IS AN ENCLOSURE (hand in a muff).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'маффин' (muffin).
- The verb 'to muff' (испортить, прозевать) is a false friend to 'маф' which is not a standard word.
- The noun for the hand-warmer can be translated as 'муфта', but this is an old-fashioned item.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'muff' (failure) with 'fluff' (minor mistake or soft fibres).
- Using the dated slang in modern contexts inappropriately.
- Spelling as 'mough' or 'muf'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'muff' most likely to be used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively low frequency. Its use as a noun for a hand-warmer is quite dated. Its use as a verb meaning 'to botch' is informal and situational.
They are often synonyms in the context of dropping a ball. 'Muff' can imply a simpler, more clumsy error, while 'fumble' can suggest a more prolonged struggle to secure the object. 'Fumble' is more common in modern usage.
Yes, when referring to the hand-warmer or a botched action. However, speakers should be aware of its dated vulgar slang meaning, though it is largely obsolete.
No, both pronounce it as /mʌf/, rhyming with 'rough' and 'tough'.