humbug

[US]/'hʌmbʌg/
[UK]/'hʌmbʌɡ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. deception, hypocritical fraudster
vi. to deceive
vt. to deceive

Example Sentences

you see what a humbug I am.

to humbug a person into doing sth.

In that way one is sure of accepting no humbug.

The brokerage executive was unmasked as a faker. Ahumbug is a self-important or self-deluded faker:

Take the humbug out of this world, and you haven’t much left to do business with.

He dismissed the salesman as a humbug.

The politician's promises turned out to be mere humbug.

Don't pay attention to his humbug excuses.

She saw through his humbug behavior.

The so-called miracle cure was just humbug.

His humbug attitude towards work is unacceptable.

The company's advertising campaign was filled with humbug.

She couldn't stand his humbug compliments.

The fortune teller's predictions were nothing but humbug.

The product's claims turned out to be humbug.

Real-world Examples

They were extremely practical, and whenever they objected to anything they called it humbug.

Source: Selected Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde

" Doesn't anyone else know you're a humbug? " asked Dorothy.

Source: The Wizard of Oz (Simplified Version)

Scrooges' catchphrase in the book and in the movies is bah humbug!

Source: VOA Special December 2018 Collection

" You're more than that, " said the Scarecrow, in a grieved tone; " you're a humbug."

Source: The Wizard of Oz (Simplified Version)

Nephew. Christmas a humbug, uncle? You don't mean that, I am sure.

Source: American Elementary School English 4

Bah humbug is usually used as a response to someone else's Christmas cheer.

Source: VOA Special December 2018 Collection

As soon as you say bah humbug people know which story and which character you are talking about.

Source: VOA Special December 2018 Collection

For example, if someone asks you, So, are you ready for Christmas? and you say, Christmas ... bah humbug!

Source: VOA Special December 2018 Collection

Examinations, sir, are pure humbug from beginning to end.

Source: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Well; all sorts of humbugs profess morality.

Source: Difficult Times (Part 2)

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