puff up

puff up

To swell or expand in size or to cause something to expand or swell. My hand puffed up after the bee stung me. Some male birds puff up their colorful plumage to try to attract a mate.

See also: puff, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

puff someone or something up

to boost or promote someone or something. Judy puffed Nell up so much that Nell could not begin to live up to her reputation. Don't puff up your own accomplishments so much.

See also: puff, up

puff up (into something)

to assume a larger shape by filling up with air or water; to swell up into something. The strange-looking fish puffed up into a round ball. The fish puffed up and stuck out its spines.

See also: puff, up

puff up

to swell up. Her finger puffed up and she thought she might have an infection. His eyelids had puffed up during the night.

See also: puff, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.