1
general::
Phrase(s): puff someone or something up
to boost or promote someone or something. • Judy puffed Nell up so much that Nell could not begin to live up to her reputation. • Don’t puff up your own accomplishments so much., Phrase(s): puff up (into something)
to assume a larger shape by filling up with air or water; to swell up into something. • The strange-looking fish puffed up into a round ball. • The fish puffed up and stuck out its spines., Phrase(s): puff up
to swell up. • Her finger puffed up and she thought she might have an infection. • His eyelids had puffed up during the night.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs