off the cuff → πρόχειρα, χωρίς προετοιμασία, στο γόνατο, χωρίς πολλή σκέψη, απροσχεδίαστα, αυτοσχέδια, πρόχειρος, απροσχεδίαστος, αυτοσχέδιος, πρόχειρη, απροσχεδίαστη, αυτοσχέδια, πρόχειρο, απροσχεδίαστο, αυτοσχέδιο
The idiom off the cuff means without planning. It’s synonymous with extemporaneously and spontaneously. It usually functions adverbially, in which case it does not need to be hyphenated. However, when it’s a phrasal adjective preceding the noun it modifies (see the first and third examples below), it is hyphenated—off-the-cuff.
Off the cuff first appeared in the early 20th century, and it alludes to the practice of making notes on one’s cuff in last-minute preparation for a speech. It usually relates to impromptu speech, but it can also relate to other things that are improvised on short notice.
Examples
Bruning is known for his off-the-cuff, occasionally controversial remarks. [Washington Post]
… Johnson, in Clapham Junction, saw an off-the-cuff speech interrupted by cries of “Where were the police?” [Guardian]
Speaking off the cuff for 10 minutes in the middle of his set, he defended his most recent music video, “Monster” … [New York Times]
But if you’re not so lucky, you’ll be peppered with questions and need to keep your composure while forced to speak off the cuff. [Consumerist]Off the cuff - Grammaristaus dem Stegreif, ohne nachzudenken, aus dem Stand, aus dem Handgelenk
« Last Edit: 24 Sep, 2021, 10:20:44 by spiros »
Either you repeat the same conventional doctrines everybody is saying, or else you say something true, and it will sound like it's from Neptune.