had the gall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had the gall" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone has the audacity or nerve to do something considered bold or disrespectful. Example: "She had the gall to ask for a raise after missing so many deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The point is that Creed had the gall.

The Guardian

Not even Max Bialystock would have had the gall.

The New York Times - Arts

' "Now you must cast aside your laziness!" ' Luigi had the gall to shout to him.

The New Yorker

nic-yang: He had the gall to play the bully on the Chinese territory!

The New York Times

Not even he, the great compulsive DRS gambler, had the gall to put his shirt on this one.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Schneiderman apparently had the gall to encourage competition for many of his Republican colleagues in last year's elections.

The New York Times

The burly dude from Katy, Tex., Clemens had the gall to take command in the very first inning.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's abysmal that they had the gall to close the curtains at a time when transparency was essential.

The Guardian

"He had the gall of a canal horse, that guy," said a detective who was assigned to investigate the explosion.

The New Yorker

10th mind-set" after he had the gall to agree with the Supreme Court decision on Gitmo detainees.

The New York Times

Then, a couple of months later, Bachelorette Georgia Love had the gall to do the same thing!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a specific action using a to-infinitive to provide clear context for why the behavior is considered impudent.

Common error

Do not confuse "had the gall" with phrases like "had the courage" or "had the strength". Since "gall" implies bitterness or bile, using it to describe a noble or heroic act would create a confusing and contradictory tone for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the gall" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the noun "gall" signifies impudence or shameless boldness. It is typically followed by a to-infinitive (e.g. "had the gall to ask"), serving as the predicate of a sentence to characterize an action as disrespectful or shocking. According to Ludwig, it is structurally robust and follows standard idiomatic patterns found in modern journalism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had the gall" is a powerful idiomatic tool used to highlight impudence and shameless behavior. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is highly prevalent in authoritative media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to criticize or express astonishment at a subject's lack of decorum. It is almost exclusively used in a negative or judgmental sense. When writing, remember that it is most effective when followed by an infinitive phrase to specify the bold action being criticized. While it shares semantic space with phrases like "had the audacity", it carries a specific nuance of bitter or disrespectful boldness that makes it a favorite for opinionated and descriptive English prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the audacity

Higher formality level and implies a more serious breach of conduct.

had the nerve

Most common interchangeable synonym in everyday English.

had the cheek

Adds a British or slightly less severe tone of impudence.

had the effrontery

Significantly more formal and literary.

possessed the temerity

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary suitable for formal writing.

was bold enough

More neutral and lacks the negative judgmental connotation.

had the brass

Colloquial and often used to describe someone particularly thick-skinned.

had the guts

Focuses more on courage than on the social inappropriateness of the act.

had the crust

An older, rarer idiom for shamelessness.

did not hesitate

Focuses on the lack of hesitation rather than the quality of the behavior.

FAQs

How do I use "had the gall" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone acting shamelessly, for example: "He "had the gall" to show up uninvited after the argument."

What is the difference between "had the gall" and "had the nerve"?

Both are very similar, but "had the gall" often implies a deeper level of bitterness or extreme disrespect compared to "had the nerve", which is more general.

Is "had the gall" formal or informal?

It is considered a neutral to informal idiom. It is perfect for journalism and storytelling but should be replaced by "had the effrontery" or "possessed the temerity" in strictly academic contexts.

Can I say "had the gall" for someone being brave?

Generally, no. The word suggests impudence. If you mean bravery, you should use "had the courage" or "had the guts" instead.