cuff

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a fold of material at the bottom of a trouser leg.

n. a fold or turned-up finish at the bottom of a trouser leg.

“The tailor adjusted the length of the trousers and added a small cuff.”

“Traditional sartorial standards often dictate that pleated trousers should feature a cuff, whereas flat-front trousers should have a plain hem.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Law Informal

n. a pair of metal rings joined by a chain, used by police to hold a prisoner's wrists.

n. a device for fastening together the wrists of a prisoner, typically consisting of two metal rings connected by a chain.

“The officer put the cuffs on the suspect and led him to the car.”

“The suspect remained silent as the arresting officer tightened the cuffs and recited the mandatory legal warnings.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to hit someone, usually on the head, with an open hand.

v. to strike someone with the open hand, especially on the head or ear.

“The old man cuffed the boy on the ear for being disrespectful.”

“In the novel, the protagonist is cuffed by his master for a minor transgression, highlighting the harsh social hierarchy of the period.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Law

v. to put handcuffs on someone.

v. to restrain a person by using handcuffs. Transitive use.

“The police had to cuff him because he was trying to run away.”

“Standard procedure requires officers to cuff any individual taken into custody to ensure the safety of both the public and the transport team.”

C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal

v. to start a serious romantic relationship with someone, especially during winter.

v. to enter into a committed romantic relationship; often used in the context of 'cuffing season'.

“He decided it was time to cuff his girlfriend after they had been dating for six months.”

“Social media trends often highlight the phenomenon of people looking to cuff a partner as the colder months approach, a period colloquially known as cuffing season.”