puff up
puff up — phrasal verb
- puff upbase form
- puffs up3rd person singular
- puffing up-ing form
- puffed uppast simple
1. When a section of the body grows larger than usual — for example, after an insec
When a section of the body grows larger than usual — for example, after an insect bite, a knock, or an illness.
After the bee sting, Trang's finger puffed up and turned red.
body part + puffs up + cause (bee sting)
The boxer's eye puffed up badly after the first round.
Lukas twisted his ankle during the game, and it puffed up right away.
Take an antihistamine before your face puffs up from the allergy.
文法句型
body part + puffs up
body part + got puffed up
用法筆記
Subject is usually a visible body part such as finger, ankle, eye, or face. The cause is typically introduced by 'from' or 'because of'.
常見錯誤
2. To talk about someone or something in a way that makes them seem much better, mo
To talk about someone or something in a way that makes them seem much better, more important, or more successful than they really are.
The article puffed up the singer's debut album as a masterpiece.
transitive: puff up + something as [compliment]
During the election campaign, local politicians often puff up their achievements to win votes.
Rafael's boss puffed up a small project into a huge success story.
Eve always puffs up her brother's cooking, even when the food is burnt.
- overpraise
more formal; describes giving too much praise
- hype up
informal; suggests media or commercial exaggeration
- talk up
neutral; emphasises promoting rather than exaggerating
- play down
to make something seem less important than it is
- understate
to describe something as smaller or less important
文法句型
puff up + someone/something
puff up about + something
用法筆記
Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the praise is exaggerated or insincere. Can be used transitively (puff up + thing) or intransitively (puff up about + topic).
常見錯誤
3. To increase in size and become rounder from the pressure of air or gas inside, w
To increase in size and become rounder from the pressure of air or gas inside, whether this happens naturally or because someone deliberately fills it with air.
The life jacket puffed up automatically when Ritu fell into the lake.
intransitive: automatic inflation by safety device
The children puffed up their cheeks and held their breath during the game.
transitive: puff up + body part (cheeks)
Noa puffed up the air mattress before the guests arrived for the party.
The dough puffed up in the warm oven and turned into golden bread.
文法句型
something puffs up
someone puffs up something
用法筆記
The intransitive form is common with food (dough, soufflé, pastry) and safety devices (life jacket, airbag). The transitive form is less frequent; 'blow up' or 'inflate' are more common alternatives.