to be a buffoon
2
8.1
- idiom
- Offensive
:
hacer el payaso
- It will just make them think that you are a buffoon with way more money than class, and they will be right.
- thinks you're a buffoon
Because Donald Trump is a buffoon, but people like him.
- Because Donald Trump is a buffoon, but people like him.
Examples
-
REALLY! This must be a joke; if not, this woman is a buffoon and is not fit to hold public office. Send her packing!
Blog text (15) -
The whole country thinks I'm a buffoon right now as it is.
-
I'm afraid he thinks, well, he said you were a buffoon, Barton.
Fiction book (1991) -
Biden was a buffoon, a silly, goofy man.
Blog text (29) -
If you don't like being made to look like a buffoon and a liar, stop being a buffoon and a liar.
Blog text (22) -
He acted like a buffoon at the party, making everyone laugh with his silly jokes.
-
Trying to impress his friends, he became a buffoon, doing ridiculous stunts in public.
-
She didn't want to look like a buffoon, so she practiced her speech before the event.
Synonyms
88
2.1
Act in a foolish or playful way without taking things seriously
42
4.1
Act in a way that makes you look silly or embarrassed
7
4.6
Act in a silly way to make others laugh or avoid being serious
7
8.5
To act in a way that makes you look foolish in front of others
3
8.0
To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention
1
9.4
Act in a foolish way and ignore good advice
1
9.9
To behave in a rude, stupid way
1
9.9
To behave in a silly or clumsy way
1
9.9
To act in a foolish way
1
9.9
To make yourself look foolish by doing or saying silly things
1
9.9
Act in a foolish, annoying way instead of being serious
To behave in a foolish and clumsy way
To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh
Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk
To behave in a silly and immature way
Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you
To behave in a rude and annoying way
Behave in a rude and stupid way
Act in a foolish way
To do silly things that make problems for yourself
To behave in a stupid and rude way
To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish
To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others
To behave in a silly way without thinking when nervous or tired
To behave in a rude or foolish way that annoys other people
Act in a foolish way because you trust people too easily
Behave in a silly, not very smart way
Behave in a silly, clumsy way
To do something silly without thinking
To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh
To behave foolishly or clumsily
Act in a silly, embarrassing way
Act in a foolish, clumsy way
Act in a silly or stupid way
Behave in a silly or foolish way
Act in a foolish or careless way
To ignore good advice and behave foolishly
Antonyms
How Ridiculous
- Offensive
2
8.1
88
2.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to act in a foolish or ridiculous way' is directly derivable from the parts: 'be' + the indefinite article + the noun 'buffoon' signals taking on the role or identity of a buffoon. This compositional pattern (be a X = behave/act as X) is common across languages and follows standard English grammar, so a B1 learner who knows 'buffoon' would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Be a buffoon comes from old court jesters who wore bright clothes and acted silly, making faces and tricks to make people laugh. Because the image is of someone behaving like a jester, be a buffoon now means 'to act in a foolish or ridiculous way'.