gall

5 definitions • 6 examples

rudeness and the quality of being unable to understand that your behaviour or what you say is not acceptable to other people:

[ + to infinitive ] Considering that he never even bothers to visit my parents, I'm amazed that Tim has the gall to ask them for money!

a gall is a kind of unusual solid mass that forms on the outer tissues of plants:

The galls deform the leaves and stems of the host tree.

One of the best plants to examine for galls is an oak tree.

to make someone feel annoyed:

I think it galls him to take orders from a younger and less experienced colleague.

to make someone annoyed:

It galls him to take orders from a less experienced colleague.

inability to understand that your behavior or what you say is rude and not acceptable to other people:

[ + to infinitive ] I don’t know how she can have the gall to accuse other people of being lazy when she comes in late every day!