humbug

• Nom désignant des discours, comportements ou croyances trompeurs ou faux ; quelque chose de destiné à tromper ou à induire en erreur. Peut aussi désigner une absurdité ou une fausseté présentée comme sérieuse.

A noun referring to deceptive or false talk, behavior, or beliefs; something intended to deceive or mislead.

1. Deception or nonsenseB2informal

   Something intended to deceive or mislead; nonsense or hypocrisy.

   Tromperie ou absurdité

   • His promises turned out to be pure humbug.
   • The politician's speech was full of humbug.
   • Don't believe that humbug about easy money.

   Synonymesbaloneybunkclaptrapdeceptionflimflamfraudhoaxhypocrisynonsensepretenseshamtrickery

   Antonymescandorfactfranknesshonestyrealitysinceritytruth

2. A type of candyB1informalbritish

   A hard, striped mint-flavored candy, often associated with Christmas.

   Bonbon à la menthe strié

   • She bought a bag of humbugs from the sweet shop.
   • Grandpa always keeps a humbug in his pocket.
   • The children enjoyed the traditional humbug candies.

3. A hypocritical personC1formal

   A person who pretends to have moral standards they do not actually follow.

   hypocrite

   • He was exposed as a humbug who preached honesty but lied constantly.
   • The character in the novel is a classic humbug.
   • She called him a humbug for his double standards.

   Synonymesdissemblerfraudhypocriteimpostorphonypretendersham

• Verbe signifiant tromper, induire en erreur ou imposer à quelqu'un de faux prétextes ou des absurdités.

A verb meaning to deceive, trick, or impose upon someone with false pretenses or nonsense.

1. Deceive or trickC1informalbritish

   To deceive someone by pretending or by using false statements.

   Tromper ou duper

   • He tried to humbug the old lady into buying a fake painting.
   • The salesman humbugged the customer with false promises.
   • Don't let them humbug you with their clever talk.

   Synonymesbamboozlecheatdeceivedeludedupefoolhoaxhoodwinkmisleadswindletrick

   Antonymesdisabuseenlighteninformundeceive

2. Pretend or bluffC1informalbritish

   To act in a way that is not genuine, often to avoid a situation or to impress.

   Bluffer, faire semblant

   • He humbugged his way through the interview without real qualifications.
   • She humbugged about being sick to skip the meeting.
   • They humbugged the audience with a fake magic trick.

   Synonymesbluffdeceivedupefeignfoolhoaxhoodwinkpretendshamtrick

   Antonymesconfrontface