muff

Everyday

1. A muff is a soft tube of fur or warm cloth that you put both hands into from each end to keep them warm, worn in old times. tree →
2. Ear muffs are two soft pads joined by a band that keep your ears warm or block out loud noise. tree →
3. (verb, informal) To muff something means to do it badly or miss it, especially to drop a catch or spoil a chance. tree →
4. (rude, adult slang) a rude word grown-ups use; not for school. tree →

In the lessons

In history and old stories, ladies carry fur muffs in winter. In safety, ear muffs protect hearing near loud machines or at fireworks. In sport and everyday talk «muff it» means to mess up a chance. Phrases: ear muffs, muff a catch, muff it, muff your lines.

Examples

• In the old painting, the lady carries a fur muff. tree →
• Wear ear muffs when you use the loud drill. tree →
• Grandma's muff kept her hands warm on the sleigh ride. tree →
• The fielder muffed an easy catch. tree →
• I muffed my lines in the school play. tree →
• Don't muff your chance to score! tree →
• And she dried Gerda’s eyes, and stuck both her hands in the beautiful warm muff. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a muff, muffs; usually «ear muffs» (also earmuffs). Verb past: muffed, muffing (double f). The verb sense is informal; a cleaner everyday word is «fumble» or «mess up».