puff up v 1: make larger or distend; "The estimates were puffed up" 2: to swell or cause to enlarge, "Her faced puffed up from the drugs" [syn: {puff}, {blow up}, {puff out}] 3: become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger; "The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son" [syn: {swell}] 4: praise extravagantly; "The critics puffed up this Broadway production" [syn: {puff}]