Blind-man's buff
Definitions
playing a game
To play a game where one player is blindfolded and tries to catch or tag the other players who are not blindfoldedconfusion or disorientation
To describe a situation where someone is confused or disoriented, similar to being blindfolded in the gamehiding or masking the truth
To refer to someone who is intentionally withholding or hiding the truth, similar to being blindfolded
Examples of Blind-man's buff
The company's new marketing strategy was like playing blind-man's buff in a crowded room. Everyone was floundering around, unsure of who to target or what to promote.
This example highlights the confusion and uncertainty that can result from implementing a strategy without a clear understanding of the target audience or message. It suggests that the company was fumbling around blindly, much like a person trying to find an unseen person in a dimly lit room.
Her argument was a complete blind-man's buff, filled with half-baked ideas and poorly presented evidence.
This example uses the idiom to describe an argument that lacks coherence and substance. It suggests that the person making the argument is stumbling around in the dark, unable to clearly articulate their position or support it with evidence.
Their attempts to address the crisis were like playing blind-man's buff in the dark. They were flailing about, trying anything and everything without any real plan or direction.
This example uses the idiom to convey a sense of desperation and chaos. It suggests that the individuals involved were blindly groping around in the dark, hoping to find a solution without any real strategy or approach.
The teacher's explanation of the new grading system was like playing blind-man's buff, with students struggling to understand the new rules and expectations.
This example uses the idiom to describe the confusion and difficulty that can arise when trying to understand a new concept or system. It suggests that the students were groping around in the dark, unsure of what was expected of them or how they were being evaluated.
In the game, Emily fumbled around the room, her hands outstretched, trying to find Sarah. Sarah, in turn, laughed as she watched Emily's flailing about, blindly searching for her friends in a game of blind-man's buff.
Blind-man's buff is an old-fashioned game in which one person is "it" and wears a blindfold. The other players scatter around the room, and then the blindfolded player tries to tag someone by feeling around with their hands. Emily's fumbling and flailing around in the dark is a perfect example of playing blind-man's buff.
The director blindly threw out ideas for the new movie without really knowing what he wanted. It was like playing a game of blind-man's buff, where the outcome was unknown and unpredictable.
The term blindly is used to describe situations where someone is acting without thinking or considering the consequences. In this example, the director was throwing out ideas without any real plan or strategy, which is similar to the blindfolded player in blind-man's buff, where the outcome is unknown and unpredictable.
The author's latest book had some flaws, but it was a worthwhile read nonetheless. Some would say it was like playing a game of blind-man's buff - you never knew what to expect, but you went along with it anyway because it was enjoyable.
The comparison to blind-man's buff is used here to describe the unpredictable nature of the author's writing. Just like the blindfolded player in the game, the reader of the book doesn't know what to expect, but they keep reading because they enjoy the experience.
The team's performance in the game was like playing a game of blind-man's buff - they were fumbling around in the dark, unsure of what they should be doing.
The term blind-man's buff is used here to describe the confusion and uncertainty of the team's performance. Just like the blindfolded player in the game, the team members were groping around in the dark, unsure of what they should be doing, and lacking direction or strategy.
Conclusion
The idiom "Blind-man's buff" has multiple meanings, all of which are related to the game of the same name. It can be used to describe playing a game where one person is blindfolded and must rely on their other senses to catch or tag the other players. It can also be used to describe a state of confusion or disorientation, as the blindfolded player in the game would experience. Lastly, it can be used to refer to someone who is hiding or masking the truth, as the blindfold in the game obscures one's vision.Origin of "Blind-man's buff"
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, where it was known as "blindman's buff" or "blindman's bluff." It was a popular game among children and adults alike, and was often played during festivities and celebrations. The game involved blindfolding one player and having them try to catch or tag the other players who were not blindfolded.
The term "buff" in this idiom is thought to come from the French word "buffe," which means a blow or a puff. This could be a reference to the blindfolded player trying to catch or tag others while being disoriented and possibly receiving blows or puffs from the other players. Over time, the term "buff" was changed to "buffet," which means to strike or hit, further cementing the connection to the physical aspect of the game.
In the 18th century, the term "blind-man's buff" became more commonly used, and it is still used today in both British and American English. The game itself has evolved over time, with different variations and rules, but the idiom remains a part of the English language, still used to describe various situations of confusion, disorientation, and deceit.