Question

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase- To have the gift of the gab.
a. A talent for speaking
b. To do exactly the right thing
c. To be cheerful
d. To get lots of gifts

Answer 1

Hint: The dictionary meaning of the given idiom/phrase “to have the gift of the gab” is the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency.

Complete answer:
“To have a gift of the gab” means the ability to speak easily and confidently; ability to persuade people verbally. For example : She should go into politics as she has the gift of the gab.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct answer :
- Option ‘a’ is A talent for speaking. This option does match with the given phrase/idiom. So, this is the correct option.
- Option ‘b’ is To do exactly the right thing. This means to do all the things which are exactly correct or exactly right. This doesn’t match with the given idiom/phrase. So, this is not the correct option.
- Option ‘c’ is To be cheerful. This means to be noticeably happy and optimistic. Someone who is bringing joy is a cheerful person. It doesn’t match with the given idiom/phrase and is not the correct option.
- Option ‘d’ is To get lots of gifts. This means to receive a lot of gifts, which is conveying a literal meaning of the given phrase/idiom. So, this option is also not correct.

> As we have analysed all the given options, Here, the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase, “To have the gift of the gab” is “a talent for speaking”. Hence, option ‘a’ is the correct option.

Note: While finding out the meaning of any given idiom/phrase, we never take its literal meaning, we try to understand its metaphoric meaning.