PhrasesHub

In the buff

    Definitions

      • naked
        Describing someone or something as being completely nude or unclothed

    Examples of In the buff

    • John accidentally left his wallet at home and had to run an errand "in the buff," as he didn't have any cash or cards on him.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is naked or without any clothing. In this example, John is in a situation where he needs to do something but is unable to because he does not have any money or identification, leaving him in a vulnerable and embarrassing position.

    • After a wild party, Sarah woke up to find her best friend passed out "in the buff" on the couch.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is naked or without any clothing. In this example, the friend has become intoxicated and passed out, leaving her in a state of vulnerability and exposing her nakedness to others.

    • The actors on the set had to film a scene "in the buff" to create a realistic depiction of a shower scene.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is naked or without any clothing, often in the context of a scene being filmed. In this example, the actors are required to film a scene that depicts them in the shower, which requires them to remove their clothing and appear naked on camera.

    • The artist's sculpture, titled "In the Buff," features a life-size statue of a nude human form.

      This idiom is used to describe an artwork that depicts a naked or nude human form. In this example, the sculpture is titled "In the Buff," which is a playful and colloquial way of referring to nudity or nakedness.

    • I accidentally spilled red wine all over her white dress while she was getting changed "in the buff".

      This idiom, "in the buff", means in a completely naked or undressed state. In this case, the woman was changing into her dress without any clothes on and the speaker accidentally spilled wine on her dress while she was naked or undressed.

    • I left my wallet, keys, and phone "in the buff" on the kitchen counter last night.

      In this example, the idiom is being used metaphorically to indicate that the speaker left these important items unprotected or unguarded on the kitchen counter overnight. The word "buff" is being used here to mean exposed or unprepared.

    • The writer stripped down to their core message "in the buff", leaving out any unnecessary words or ideas.

      This metaphorical use of the idiom is to say that the writer presented their main point or idea in a clear, concise, and direct way, without any distracting or unnecessary words or details.

    • The fashion designer wanted to showcase the new line of lingerie "in the buff", allowing the models to wear nothing but the clothing items for the fashion show.

      Here, "in the buff" is being used literally, to indicate that the models wore nothing but the clothing items during the fashion show. This use of the idiom highlights the provocative nature of the lingerie line, as the models were completely naked or undressed beneath the clothes.


    Conclusion

    "In the buff" is a casual and humorous way to say that someone or something is naked or not wearing any clothes. This idiom is often used in a lighthearted or playful context to describe someone who is not dressed. It can also be used to describe a state of being completely exposed or vulnerable.

    Origin of "In the buff"

    The origin of the idiom "in the buff" is not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in the late 17th or early 18th century. The word "buff" originally referred to a type of soft, thick leather used for making clothing, particularly military uniforms. Over time, "buff" came to be associated with the color of this leather, a light yellowish-brown shade. The phrase "in the buff" likely originated as a playful way to describe someone who was not wearing clothes, referencing the color of the leather clothing that they were not wearing.

    Another theory suggests that the term may have originated from the French word "buffe," which referred to a natural, undyed leather. Regardless of its exact origins, "in the buff" has become a widely recognized and commonly used idiom in the English language to describe someone or something that is naked or unclothed.