Have you seen the phrase 'off the cuff' and would like to know more about the context of this common English saying? The expression 'off the cuff' means that something spontaneous or unplanned has happened. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and common use.
Meaning
The expression 'off the cuff' is a common figurative expression that is used in the English language, though translated to a few others.
When a speaker says that something is 'off the cuff' then it means that it has happened spontaneously or without any prior planning.
The phrase 'off the cuff' means the same as to say that something is 'spur of the moment' or 'unrehearsed' which both have a similar meaning.
When the phrase is used in the negative form ('not off the cuff') then it means that something was planned before it happened.
The phrase can refer to anything, though the context of what has happened (or what will happen) off the cuff is generally implied by the rest of what has been said or seen.
When something is 'on the cuff' it does not mean the opposite of the saying, but means something completely different: something that is 'on the cuff' is done on loan or credit.
Example Usage
“Nobody in the bar had any idea that Stevie Ray Vaughn was going to show up for an off the cuff performance that night, even though it's one of the most famous live gigs that have ever been played in today's time.”
“The prime minister's speech was off the cuff, and you could tell that he was speaking from the heart and not saying the rehearsed drivel of some speechwriter that got paid to tell people good things about the government.”
“The whole thing was off the cuff, nobody knew that he was going to take over the party like that. Hell, I didn't even know that he could dance in the first place.”
“Tuesday night turned into an off the cuff drag performance. I had no idea that your grandfather was so much of a wild child back in his day!”
Origin
According to most online language resources, the phrase 'off the cuff' dates back to at least the early 1900s.
The phrase first appeared in the 1930s, where the phrase comes from public performances and the fact that speakers often hid notes up in their sleeves – back then, more commonly knows as the 'cuff' of their shirts.
When a performance would run dry, they would check their notes that were hidden up their sleeves.
When something else was said without rehearsal, it would happen 'off the cuff' or 'off the record' and not from their notes.
The phrase 'off the cuff' has come to mean any performance or event that is unscripted or unplanned, even though the origin of the phrase comes from public performance.
Use of the saying continued into modern times, with its meaning largely unchanged even in 21st century use of the phrase.
Phrases Similar to Off the Cuff
- Out of the blue
Phrases Opposite to Off the Cuff
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [something happened] off the cuff
Ways People May Say Off the Cuff Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'off the cuff' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase.
When someone uses the phrase as 'on the cuff' it does not mean the opposite of the common saying, but it's instead said to mean 'on credit' – although the two phrases are often confused by speakers who are not familiar with it.
Though rare, it is also possible to misunderstand the phrase as a literal one when the meaning does not refer to cuffs or sleeves.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Off the Cuff
The correct way to use the phrase 'off the cuff' is to use it to refer to anything that happened without planning, or without any rehearsal.