# buff out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buff-out
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to remove a scratch or mark from a surface by rubbing it. You use this when you want to make something smooth and shiny again.

For teachers: to remove surface imperfections through polishing or abrasion. This transitive phrasal verb is often used in automotive or craft contexts and can be applied metaphorically to refining a piece of work.

## Examples

- You can buff out that small scratch on your car.
- The mechanic said he could buff out the scuff marks on the door in just a few minutes.
- While the initial draft of the proposal was ambitious, the team spent the weekend trying to buff out the logical inconsistencies in the budget section.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to buff out of the mark." but "I need to buff out the mark." — The particle 'out' is part of the phrasal verb and does not require the preposition 'of' before the object.

## Usage notes

- This verb is optionally separable, meaning the object can sit between 'buff' and 'out' or follow the particle.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'sand down', which is more aggressive; 'buff out' implies a gentle, finishing process to restore a surface.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.