pfft

1. An onomatopoeic interjection representing a sudden cessation, disappearance, or ending (of something). (Meant to simulate the sound of something disappearing in a puff of smoke.) One day, we all had jobs, not thinking too hard about what the future would bring, when all of a sudden—pfft! The company closes down, and we're left with nothing. I can't believe you're willing to let our friendship disintegrate over one argument. Pfft, just like that?

2. A sarcastic interjection signifying one's disagreement with or dismissal of something that's been said or done. A: "They're going to want you to sign a statement pledging your devotion to the company." B: "Pfft! I'm not signing that!" A: "He said he was going to beat you up." B: "Pfft—as if he could!"

phfft

(ffft)

1. mod. finished; done for; dead. (see also piffed.) There is my cat, and zoom comes a car. My cat is phfft.

2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. Three beers and she’s phfft, for sure.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

I ask -- and get a very French "Phfft!" in response.

Young fashion designer on the path to fulfilment

His first film credit came in 1954 with the Judy Holliday/ Jack Lemmon comedy "Phfft." He followed that by co-writing the film version of "Seven Year Itch" with Billy Wilder, and an adaptation of William Inge's "Bus Stop," both starring Monroe, the latter often considered her best screen performance; Axelrod got WGA noms for "Phfft" and "Bus." (His contribution to "Rally Round the Flag Boys!" in 1958 went un-credited.)

Obituaries

Educated at Los Angeles City College, she broke into movies in 1954 in Phfft. She had liaisons with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Aly Khan and was married twice - the first to actor Richard Johnson.

The Man In The Know

Mi dispiace.' I just kept saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sir.' And he finally just looked at me and went, 'Phfft,' (a sound of disgust) and ripped up the ticket and just yelled at us to get out of his country.

Travel comes with the job for adventurer

They were "on the verge." They "reno-vated," "soured," "curdled," "wilted," "melted," "told it to the judge," or went "phfft." People didn't have babies.

A word on wordsmiths

As entertainment or as film history, "Big Guns" goes phfft.

Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western

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