To escape from a difficult or embarrassing situation by pretending to be confident or by using deception.
To get out of trouble by pretending you know what you're doing or by tricking people.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To escape a difficult situation by pretending to be more confident or knowledgeable than you actually are.
"He hadn't read the report, but he managed to bluff it out during the meeting by asking clever questions."
To deceive someone into believing you are not at fault or not in the wrong.
"She tried to bluff out the accusation, but her colleagues already knew the truth."
Often used reflexively ('bluff your way out') or with 'it' ('bluff it out'). More common in British English. The object is usually a situation or problem, not a person.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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