gift of the gab

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   A natural talent for speaking easily, fluently and persuasively.

   Grammar: Often used after have: She has the gift of the gab.

   Patterns

   • have the gift of the gab
   • someone with the gift of the gab

   Our new salesman has the gift of the gab and sells everything he picks up.

   With the gift of the gab, she talked her way into the meeting.

   He doesn't have much gift of the gab, but he writes beautifully.

Common combinations

have the gift of the gab

My uncle has the gift of the gab and keeps everyone laughing.

be blessed with the gift of the gab

She was blessed with the gift of the gab from childhood.

use the gift of the gab

He used the gift of the gab to get a discount.

a politician with the gift of the gab

A politician with the gift of the gab can win over a crowd.

need the gift of the gab

Market traders need the gift of the gab.

Synonyms and how they differ

eloquence

Eloquence is formal and suggests graceful, impressive speech, while gift of the gab is casual and about easy talk.

silver tongue

Silver tongue stresses persuasive, flattering talk and can hint at insincerity.

glibness

Glibness is critical, suggesting talk that is smooth but shallow, whereas gift of the gab is usually praise.

charm

Charm is wider and need not involve talking, whereas gift of the gab is specifically about speech.

Opposites

Word family

gab noun

chatter or talk

gab verb

to chat at length about unimportant things

gabby adjective

talkative

gift noun

a natural talent

Commonly confused: gift of the gab or gift of the grab?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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