A pejorative term for a white person who does something that is outdone or done better by a black person. Based upon the 80s piano rocker Bruce Hornsby, who scored a hit with the song "The Way It Is" which was later sampled and practically re-created by 2Pac years later.
Elvis Presley: Ain't nothin' but a hound dog, cryin' all the time-
Black Musician: Naw, naw, naw man this is how you sing it
*Black person performs a superior rendition*
Elvis Presley: Wow...that was uh...
Black Musician: Amazing? Yeah.
Elvis: Well yeah.
Black Musician: Take that ya Bruce Hornsby
Black Musician: Naw, naw, naw man this is how you sing it
*Black person performs a superior rendition*
Elvis Presley: Wow...that was uh...
Black Musician: Amazing? Yeah.
Elvis: Well yeah.
Black Musician: Take that ya Bruce Hornsby
by CYFLover December 4, 2012
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Get the Bruce-WAYNE mug.Definition of "Pulling a Bruce"
"Pulling a Bruce" refers to the behavior of an irresponsible friend who, in a moment of emotional turmoil or inadequacy, uses a "friend" as an emotional surrogate to express and manipulate their feelings. The person in question (the "Brucer") often attempts to shame their friend for not recognizing their personal struggles—particularly related to failed relationships, such as a divorce prompted by infidelity. This term also suggests a broader pattern of lack of personal responsibility and emotional maturity, where the "Brucer" fails to address their own issues while projecting their emotional pain onto others. In more extreme cases, "Pulling a Bruce" can also be seen as a form of escapism, where the individual distracts themselves with voyeuristic behaviors or attempts to compensate for personal deficiencies by finding fault in others.
"Pulling a Bruce" refers to the behavior of an irresponsible friend who, in a moment of emotional turmoil or inadequacy, uses a "friend" as an emotional surrogate to express and manipulate their feelings. The person in question (the "Brucer") often attempts to shame their friend for not recognizing their personal struggles—particularly related to failed relationships, such as a divorce prompted by infidelity. This term also suggests a broader pattern of lack of personal responsibility and emotional maturity, where the "Brucer" fails to address their own issues while projecting their emotional pain onto others. In more extreme cases, "Pulling a Bruce" can also be seen as a form of escapism, where the individual distracts themselves with voyeuristic behaviors or attempts to compensate for personal deficiencies by finding fault in others.
After spending the whole night guilt-tripping Jessica for not telepathically knowing about his divorce, then crying into a pint while watching planes like they owed him child support, Bruce was definitely pulling a Bruce.”
by The Majestic November 4, 2025
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That Samuel bloke is getting weirder by the minute, maybe time to pull a Bruce Manoeuvre and lose him at the Taxi rank.
by TheOtherGerald September 8, 2022
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Get the William Bruce mug.Commonly referred to as the man about town
Look at Bruce, all so worldly and fashionable in his Lululemon, doesn’t he look like he is the man about town.
by Anonymous44! April 24, 2024
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