Looking up...
off the cuff
/ɒf ðə kʌf/◆idiom
spontaneous or improvised
He gave an off-the-cuff response to the reporter's question.
He answered the reporter's question without preparation.
informal
Done or said without preparation or planning; spontaneous or improvised.
The comedian's off-the-cuff remarks had the audience laughing.
The comedian's unplanned comments made the audience laugh.
She gave an off-the-cuff speech at the event.
She spoke without preparing a script at the event.
Often used to describe remarks or actions that are spontaneous and unplanned.
Collocations
off-the-cuff remarksspontaneous commentsoff-the-cuff responseunplanned answer
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use 'off the cuff' to describe spontaneous actions or remarks, especially in informal settings.
Gold Rule
Avoid Formal Use
This phrase is informal and should not be used in highly formal or professional contexts.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the practice of actors or speakers keeping notes or cues on their cuffs to refer to during performances. Over time, it came to mean speaking or acting without preparation.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to describe actions or speech that are done without prior planning.
Word Breakdown
off
away from
prepositionthe
definite article
articlecuff
the end of a sleeve
nounEnglish Dictionary