试题摘自CATTI指定教材《英语笔译综合能力2级》河南人事考试网站SEO公司，诠释及例句源自牛津词典和柯林斯词典。
形近词辨析：
scuff; scuffle; cuff
1. scuff
①~ sth (on sth) to make a mark on the smooth surface of sth when you rub it against sth rough 磨损；磨坏
例：I scuffed the heel of my shoe on the stonework.
我的鞋跟儿给铺好的石头磨坏了。
②~ your feet, heels, etc. to drag your feet along the ground as you walk 拖着脚走
例：Polly, bewildered and embarrassed, dropped her head and scuffed her feet.
波莉既疑心又难堪，低下头拖着脚走开了。
派生词：scuffed adj.
例：After only one day, his shoes were already scuffed and dirty.
只一天，他的鞋就穿脏磨坏了。
2. scuffle
V①~ (with sb) (of two or more people 两人或多人之间) to fight or struggle with each other for a short time, in a way that is not very serious （短暂而不紧张地）扭打，冲突，争斗
例：She scuffled with photographers as she left her hotel.
在脱离所住的旅馆时，她和一些摄影记者发生了冲突。
②[+ 副词或介词短语] to move quickly making a quiet rubbing noise 窸窸窣窣地疾行
例：Some animal was scuffling in the bushes.
有只动物在灌木丛中窸窸窣窣地穿行。
N.~ (with sb) a short and not very violent fight or struggle （短时间与某人的）小扭打，冲突
例：Scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators.
警察和示威者之间发生了冲突。
3. cuff
V[动词 + 名词短语] to hit sb quickly and lightly with your hand, especially in a way that is not serious 用手轻快地拍（某人）
例：She cuffed him lightly around his head.
她轻轻地在他头上拍了几下。
N.①[可数名词] the end of a coat or shirt sleeve at the wrist 袖口
例：a collar and cuffs of white lace
带白色蕾丝花边的衣领和袖口
②[可数名词] a light hit with an open hand 用掌轻拍
例：to give sb a friendly cuff
友爱地轻轻拍某人一下
相干短语：
off the cuff
(of speaking, remarks, etc. 讲话、话语等) without previous thought or preparation 未经思考（或预备）；即兴
I'm just speaking off the cuff here─I haven't seen the results yet.
我只是在这里即兴说说而已金王子驾驶室，我还没看到效果呢。
an off-the-cuff remark
即席谈话
短语积累：
1. brood over/on/about sth
to think a lot about sth that makes you annoyed, anxious or upset 焦虑，忧思（使人讨厌、担忧或不安的事）
例：You're not still brooding over what he said, are you?
你不是还在为他的话怏怏不乐吧？
2. out of gear
(of emotions or situations 情绪或形势) (to become) out of control 失去控制
例：She said nothing in case her temper slipped out of gear.
她什么都没说，免得按捺不住情绪。
3. butter up
try to please sb奉承；巴结；讨好=flatter
例：The bank has to butter up investors because it is in a fiercely competitive market...
因为市场竞争激烈，银行不得不去讨好投资者。