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
A lawyer who is not very skilled can still be in demand if he talks well and convinces people.
Complete sentence: He is not a good lawyer, but he has the gift of the gab so he manages to be much sought after.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) gall and woodworm | 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. | His rival's victory was gall and wormwood to him. |
| (2) high spirits | a cheerful, lively mood. It does not explain why clients seek him. | The children were in high spirits on the last day of school. |
| (3) gift of the gab (answer) | the ability to speak easily, confidently and persuasively ("gab" is an informal word for talk) | With his gift of the gab, the salesman sold fifty cars in a month. |
| (4) axe to grind | to have a private, selfish reason for doing or saying something | He criticises the plan only because he has an axe to grind. |
| Also asked in CUET (UG): have the gift of the gab – 29-05-2026 Slot 2, 12-05-2026 Slot 1 have an axe to grind – 01-06-2023 Slot 1 |