gift for gab

Meanings

1. 1phrasesingularinformal

   A natural ability to talk easily and pleasantly, especially in a way that charms or persuades people.

   Grammar: Used with a possessive word before gift: a gift for gab, his gift for gab.

   Patterns

   • have a gift for gab
   • someone's gift for gab

   My uncle has a real gift for gab, so he can chat with anyone at a party.

   Her gift for gab helped her sell advertising space over the phone.

2. 2phrasesingularinformaldisapproving

   A tendency to talk a great deal, sometimes more than is wanted.

   Grammar: Often mildly disapproving; the context decides whether it sounds admiring or critical.

   Patterns

   • have a gift for gab
   • with someone's gift for gab

   With his gift for gab, he kept the whole meeting waiting while he told stories.

   She does not have much of a gift for gab, so she prefers to send emails.

Common combinations

a real gift for gab

The new salesman has a real gift for gab.

have the gift for gab

You need to have the gift for gab to work in radio.

someone's gift for gab

His gift for gab made him popular at the front desk.

a natural gift for gab

She was born with a natural gift for gab.

Synonyms and how they differ

the gift of the gab

The more common British version; it means the same thing and is used in the same informal way.

eloquence

More formal and approving; it stresses skill with words rather than simply talking a lot.

talkativeness

Neutral and slightly negative; it describes the habit of talking a lot without suggesting charm.

Opposites

Commonly confused: gift for gab or gift of gab?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “gift for gab”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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