“Muff” is an informal word that usually means a mistake, a failure, or a bad move. People often use it when someone does something clumsily or gets something wrong.
In everyday English, people might say someone “muffed” a shot, a pass, or a chance when they failed to do it properly. It is common in sports, games, and casual conversation.
Meaning & Usage
“Muff” is often used as a verb, like “to muff something,” meaning to mess it up. It can also be used as a noun in some older or less common uses, but in modern speech it is usually about making a mistake.
Examples
He muffed the catch at the last second.
She muffed her chance to answer the question.
I totally muffed that simple task.
Is “muff” a formal word?
No, it is informal. People use it in casual speech, not in serious or formal writing.
Can “muff” mean more than one thing?
Yes. In some contexts, it can refer to a hand warmer or other older meanings, but in everyday modern English, it usually means to make a mistake.
Where do people use “muff” most often?
It is most common in sports, games, and casual conversation when someone fails to do something correctly.
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