Choose the correct option to fill in the blank in the following sentence:-
He is not a good lawyer, but he has the ------- so he manages to be much sought after.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → gift of the gab
The gift of the gab means the ability to speak easily, confidently and persuasively ("gab" is an informal word for talk). A lawyer who is not very skilled can still be in demand if he talks well and convinces people.
Example: With his gift of the gab, the salesman sold fifty cars in a month.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: gall and woodworm — Incorrect. This is not an English idiom; the real expression is "gall and wormwood" (two bitter substances), which means something very bitter and humiliating to bear. It has nothing to do with a lawyer's success.
Example: His rival's victory was gall and wormwood to him.
Option 2: high spirits — Incorrect. High spirits means a cheerful, lively mood; it does not explain why clients seek him.
Example: The children were in high spirits on the last day of school.
Option 4: axe to grind — Incorrect. To have an axe to grind means to have a private, selfish reason for doing or saying something.
Example: He criticises the plan only because he has an axe to grind.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| have the gift of the gab | 12-05 S1 29-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |
| have an axe to grind | – | – | – | 01-06 S1 | – |