Huff and puff
verb
To breathe heavily, usually after physical activity.
After running up the hill, he was huffing and puffing.
verb
To show that you are annoyed or angry.
She huffed and puffed but eventually agreed.
Often appears as...
- huff and puff about something
- huff and puff in frustration
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To try hard to achieve something, but without success.
They huffed and puffed but couldn't get the couch up the stairs.
Often appears as...
- huff and puff to get something done
- huff and puff but achieve nothing
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To breathe heavily, usually after physical activity.
After running up the hill, he was huffing and puffing.
verb
To show that you are annoyed or angry.
She huffed and puffed but eventually agreed.
Often appears as...
- huff and puff about something
- huff and puff in frustration
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To try hard to achieve something, but without success.
They huffed and puffed but couldn't get the couch up the stairs.
Often appears as...
- huff and puff to get something done
- huff and puff but achieve nothing
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Exertion
Use when someone's breathing hard from activities like running or climbing.
She was huffing and puffing after the sprint.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Intensity
The phrase can also convey frustration or fatigue feelings from the effort.
He huffed and puffed as he shoveled the heavy snow.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Exertion
Use when someone's breathing hard from activities like running or climbing.
She was huffing and puffing after the sprint.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Intensity
The phrase can also convey frustration or fatigue feelings from the effort.
He huffed and puffed as he shoveled the heavy snow.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Exertion
Use when someone's breathing hard from activities like running or climbing.
She was huffing and puffing after the sprint.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Intensity
The phrase can also convey frustration or fatigue feelings from the effort.
He huffed and puffed as he shoveled the heavy snow.
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