Fluff (one's) lines In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "fluff (one's) lines", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Jenne Phuong

2021-09-21 11:09

Meaning of Fluff (one's) lines

Variants:

blow (one's) lines , muff (one's) lines

Fluff (one's) lines informal slang

To mess a speech up or forget the words that one is supposed to say

I got on my nerves when I delivered my speech in front of hundreds of people, so I fluffed my lines a little bit.

A: "Sorry, sir. I has just fluffed my lines." B: "It's a rehearsal so don't be too worried. You just need to practice more."

Other phrases about:

Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things

An expressive style that uses excessive or empty words will result in things that can't be explained clearly

a plum in (one's) mouth

Primally used in the UK to indicate the typical manner of communication from the high social class

schmooser

A person who charms other people with their speech to gain benefits.

slip sb's memory/mind

If you say something slips your memory/mind, you mean that it is forgotten.

lose (one's) train of thought

If you lose your train of thought, you forget what you was talking or thinking about.

Grammar and Usage of Fluff (one's) lines

Verb Forms

fluffed one's lines
fluffing one's lines
fluffs one's lines

Possessive Adjectives

fluff her lines
fluff his lines
fluff my lines
fluff our lines
fluff their lines
fluff your lines

The verb "fluff" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Fluff (one's) lines

The first known usage of this meaning derives from British theatrical language in the 1870s when “to fluff one’s lines” means to forget them. It is not known how or why this particular meaning of “fluff” came about. One suggestion is that it might be echoic of the verbal sounds an actor might make in trying to remember lines. The original meaning of “fluff”, of course, is any small piece of fabric or material that is very light, soft and downy, which meaning dates from the late 18th century.

The Origin Cited: