have the gall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have the gall" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or indignation at someone's audacity or boldness in doing something considered inappropriate or disrespectful. Example: "She had the gall to ask for a raise after arriving late to work every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How did Osborne have the gall to take this job?

The Times

Oh, my God, you have the gall to play dumb?

The New Yorker

Unless, of course, would-be thieves have the gall to break out the video equipment.

The New York Times - Sports

How did Unilever have the gall to increase the price of Marmite by 10%?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Few creative artists have the gall of Yasmina Reza, but few have her powers of invention.

The New Yorker

"How dare they have the gall to take away something people worked so hard for.

The New York Times - Sports

Did you have the gall, the nous, the ambition, the cheek?

The Guardian - Arts

How could such a divisive, bellicose, and heartless figure have the gall to talk like that?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And Blair has the gall to call the press cynical.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it has the gall to call this a simplification.

The Guardian - Sport

Who has the gall to stop a wedding anyway?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have the gall" to express surprise or indignation at someone's audacity or boldness, particularly when their actions are considered inappropriate or disrespectful.

Common error

Avoid using "have the gall" in situations where simple disagreement or difference of opinion is present. The phrase is strongest when highlighting a blatant disregard for decency or respect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the gall" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express indignation, surprise, or disbelief at someone's audacious or impudent behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable expression. The numerous examples show it typically introduces a statement of outrage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have the gall" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to convey disapproval or indignation at someone's audacious behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "have the audacity" or "have the nerve" exist, "have the gall" maintains its unique flavor of expressing personal offense at someone's blatant disregard for decency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the audacity

Emphasizes boldness and willingness to take risks, sometimes implying a lack of respect or consideration for others.

have the nerve

Highlights impudence and disregard for social norms or expectations.

have the effrontery

Implies extreme arrogance and shamelessness in one's actions.

have the impudence

Highlights rudeness and lack of respect in one's behavior.

dare to

Focuses on the boldness or courage to do something, often in the face of opposition or disapproval.

have the cheek

Implies playful or mischievous audacity, often in a humorous context.

presume to

Suggests an unwarranted assumption of authority or privilege.

be so bold as to

Emphasizes the speaker's surprise or disbelief at someone's audacity.

be brazen enough

Stresses a bold, open, and shameless display of audacity.

go so far as to

Highlights an action that is considered extreme or unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "have the gall" in a sentence?

You can use "have the gall" to express outrage or disbelief at someone's audacity. For example, "Did he really "have the gall" to ask for more money after ruining the project?"

What's a more formal way to say "have the gall"?

More formal alternatives include "have the audacity" or "have the effrontery", which convey a similar sense of indignation but in a more sophisticated tone.

Is "have the gall" appropriate in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "have the gall" might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using "have the nerve" or rephrasing to maintain a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between ""have the gall"" and "have the audacity"?

While similar, ""have the gall"" often carries a stronger sense of personal offense or shock, whereas "have the audacity" can be used more broadly to describe any bold or presumptuous act.