Giving gifts is a special way to show you care. People give gifts on birthdays, holidays, and other important days. Gifts can be big or small. Sometimes the best ones come from the heart. Because giving is so important, many phrases in English talk about gifts in fun ways. These phrases are called idioms.
Idioms are not always easy to understand just by looking at the words. They often mean something different from what they sound like. In this article, you will learn some common idioms about gifts. These idioms will help you talk about giving and receiving in a more colorful way. Let’s take a look at these fun expressions and see what they really mean.
Idioms About Gifts
1. Gift of gab
Meaning: Being able to talk well or speak easily.
Example Sentence:
• Sarah has the gift of gab—she makes new friends wherever she goes.
• My uncle has the gift of gab and tells funny stories at family dinners.
Other ways to say: Good speaker, smooth talker
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old English and Irish sayings about people who could charm others with words.
Usage: Used when someone is good at talking or telling stories.
2. A gift horse in the mouth
Meaning: To find fault with something you got for free.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth just because the toy isn’t new.
• He got free tickets and still complained—it’s like looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Other ways to say: Don’t complain about free stuff, be thankful
Fun Fact/Origin: In the past, people checked a horse’s teeth to see its age. Doing that to a gifted horse was rude.
Usage: Used when someone isn’t being thankful for a gift.
3. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Meaning: Being born into a rich family.
Example Sentence:
• Jake was born with a silver spoon in his mouth—his family owns three houses.
• She never had to work growing up because of her silver spoon.
Other ways to say: Very lucky from birth, wealthy family
Fun Fact/Origin: In the old days, silver spoons were a sign of being rich.
Usage: Used to describe someone born into money or good luck.
4. God’s gift to (someone/something)
Meaning: Thinking too highly of oneself.
Example Sentence:
• He acts like he’s God’s gift to soccer, but he’s not that great.
• She thought she was God’s gift to fashion and never took advice.
Other ways to say: Full of oneself, thinks they’re the best
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s said sarcastically to describe someone who brags too much.
Usage: Used when someone thinks too much of themselves.
5. The gift that keeps on giving
Meaning: Something that continues to bring benefits or problems.
Example Sentence:
• That toy robot is the gift that keeps on giving—it plays music and dances!
• His silly joke became the gift that keeps on giving—everyone keeps laughing days later.
Other ways to say: Keeps helping, keeps going
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in ads for record players in the 1920s.
Usage: Used for things that keep having an effect over time.
6. Give the shirt off your back
Meaning: To be very generous.
Example Sentence:
• My grandma would give the shirt off her back to help someone.
• He gave the shirt off his back to a stranger who was cold.
Other ways to say: Very giving, big-hearted
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows someone giving even their own clothes to help.
Usage: Used for people who are very kind and giving.
7. Wrapped up like a gift
Meaning: Dressed very nicely or with great care.
Example Sentence:
• She was wrapped up like a gift for her school dance.
• He looked wrapped up like a gift at the wedding.
Other ways to say: Dressed fancy, dressed up
Fun Fact/Origin: Compares looking good to a neatly wrapped present.
Usage: Used to describe people looking well-dressed or special.
8. Give something your all
Meaning: Try your hardest.
Example Sentence:
• She gave the talent show her all and won first prize.
• I gave my all in that game, even though we lost.
Other ways to say: Try your best, go all in
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows that effort can be a kind of gift, too.
Usage: Used when someone puts in full effort.
9. Give someone a run for their money
Meaning: Compete well against someone.
Example Sentence:
• That new kid gave our top runner a run for his money.
• She gave the champion a run for her money at the spelling bee.
Other ways to say: Compete hard, strong challenge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horse racing when challengers surprised the favorites.
Usage: Used when someone gives a strong challenge.
10. Give someone a taste of their own medicine
Meaning: Treat someone the way they treat others (often badly).
Example Sentence:
• He was always teasing, so I gave him a taste of his own medicine.
• When she was ignored, she knew how it felt and stopped ignoring others.
Other ways to say: Fair payback, equal treatment
Fun Fact/Origin: From old times when bad medicine helped teach a lesson.
Usage: Used when someone learns a lesson by experiencing their own behavior.
11. Give it a shot
Meaning: Try something, even if you’re not sure it will work.
Example Sentence:
• I didn’t know how to play the guitar, but I gave it a shot.
• She gave painting a shot and ended up loving it.
Other ways to say: Try it out, take a chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports and shooting games—taking a “shot” at the goal.
Usage: Used when trying something new or uncertain.
12. Give someone a hand
Meaning: Help someone.
Example Sentence:
• Can you give me a hand with this heavy box?
• She gave her friend a hand setting up the birthday party.
Other ways to say: Help out, lend a hand
Fun Fact/Origin: The hand is a symbol of help and teamwork.
Usage: Used when someone offers help.
13. Give someone a break
Meaning: Stop being hard on someone or allow them to rest.
Example Sentence:
• Give her a break—she’s doing her best!
• I’ve been working all day; give me a break.
Other ways to say: Let up, be kind
Fun Fact/Origin: A “break” means a pause or a rest.
Usage: Used when someone needs kindness or a rest.
14. Give a gift with strings attached
Meaning: A gift that comes with conditions.
Example Sentence:
• He gave the bike with strings attached—he wanted chores in return.
• She didn’t like gifts with strings attached.
Other ways to say: Conditional gift, not free
Fun Fact/Origin: The “strings” mean hidden rules or deals.
Usage: Used when a gift isn’t truly free.
15. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignore someone on purpose.
Example Sentence:
• After the fight, he gave me the cold shoulder.
• She gave her brother the cold shoulder for a day.
Other ways to say: Ignore, shut out
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, hosts would serve cold meat to unwanted guests.
Usage: Used when someone is being unfriendly.
16. Give up the ghost
Meaning: To stop working or to die.
Example Sentence:
• My old phone finally gave up the ghost.
• That old toy car gave up the ghost after years of use.
Other ways to say: Stop working, break down
Fun Fact/Origin: “Ghost” once meant spirit or life.
Usage: Used when something stops working or ends.
17. Give someone butterflies
Meaning: Make someone nervous or excited.
Example Sentence:
• He gives me butterflies every time he smiles.
• I got butterflies before the spelling bee.
Other ways to say: Feel nervous, feel excited
Fun Fact/Origin: Butterflies in the stomach feel like fluttering wings.
Usage: Used when someone feels happy-nervous.
18. Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: Speak angrily or honestly to someone.
Example Sentence:
• Mom gave me a piece of her mind after I broke the vase.
• He gave his friend a piece of his mind for being rude.
Other ways to say: Tell off, scold
Fun Fact/Origin: It means you’re giving your honest thoughts.
Usage: Used when someone is upset and speaks up.
19. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: Believe someone is honest or good without proof.
Example Sentence:
• I didn’t see him take it, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
• The teacher gave me the benefit of the doubt about my homework.
Other ways to say: Trust, assume the best
Fun Fact/Origin: “Doubt” means not being sure, so you believe the best instead.
Usage: Used when you choose to trust someone.
20. Give someone a pat on the back
Meaning: Praise or show approval.
Example Sentence:
• Dad gave me a pat on the back for cleaning my room.
• She gave her friend a pat on the back for winning.
Other ways to say: Say “good job,” praise
Fun Fact/Origin: A real pat on the back is a simple way to show pride.
Usage: Used when cheering someone for doing well.
21. Give your word
Meaning: Promise something.
Example Sentence:
• I gave my word I’d be there.
• He gave his word to keep the secret.
Other ways to say: Promise, make a vow
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, a person’s “word” meant their honor.
Usage: Used when someone makes a serious promise.
22. Give a leg up
Meaning: Help someone get started or move ahead.
Example Sentence:
• The tutor gave her a leg up in math.
• My uncle gave me a leg up with my school project.
Other ways to say: Help advance, boost
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horseback riding, where one person helps another climb up.
Usage: Used when giving someone a good start.
23. Give it a rest
Meaning: Stop talking or doing something for a while.
Example Sentence:
• He kept bragging—someone told him to give it a rest.
• Give it a rest! You’ve already said that three times.
Other ways to say: Stop for now, quiet down
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music—“rest” means pause.
Usage: Used when someone needs to stop or quiet down.
24. Give your two cents
Meaning: Share your opinion.
Example Sentence:
• I gave my two cents about the new playground rules.
• She always gives her two cents at family meetings.
Other ways to say: Say what you think, share thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, small coins meant small ideas—humble opinions.
Usage: Used when sharing thoughts or ideas.
25. Give someone the creeps
Meaning: Make someone feel scared or uneasy.
Example Sentence:
• That movie gave me the creeps!
• The old house gave me the creeps when we walked by.
Other ways to say: Spooky feeling, scary vibe
Fun Fact/Origin: “Creeps” means the shivers people get when they’re scared.
Usage: Used when something feels scary or weird.
26. Give back
Meaning: Return something or help others in thanks.
Example Sentence:
• I gave back the book when I was done.
• She gives back to her town by volunteering.
Other ways to say: Return, help others
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple words with powerful meaning—returning kindness.
Usage: Used when helping others or returning things.
27. Give someone the floor
Meaning: Let someone speak.
Example Sentence:
• The teacher gave the floor to Jenna to present.
• He gave the floor to his friend during the debate.
Other ways to say: Let speak, allow to talk
Fun Fact/Origin: From stage shows, the “floor” is the speaking space.
Usage: Used in speeches or meetings.
28. Give it your best shot
Meaning: Try your hardest.
Example Sentence:
• He gave it his best shot in the science contest.
• Even if I don’t win, I’ll give it my best shot.
Other ways to say: Try your best, go for it
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to trying your best aim—like in archery or basketball.
Usage: Used when encouraging someone to try hard.
29. Give the green light
Meaning: Approve or allow something to happen.
Example Sentence:
• The teacher gave us the green light to start the project.
• My parents gave me the green light for the sleepover.
Other ways to say: Approve, say “go”
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from traffic lights—green means go.
Usage: Used when permission is given.
30. Give up
Meaning: Stop trying.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t give up—you’re almost there!
• He gave up after the puzzle got too hard.
Other ways to say: Quit, stop trying
Fun Fact/Origin: “Give up” means to surrender or stop effort.
Usage: Used when someone stops trying or is encouraged not to.
31. Give away the ending
Meaning: Reveal a secret or surprise.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t give away the ending of the movie!
• She gave away the surprise party by accident.
Other ways to say: Spoil the secret, let it slip
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from books and movies—spoiling the final moment.
Usage: Used when someone tells too much.
32. Give off vibes
Meaning: Show a feeling or mood without saying it.
Example Sentence:
• That place gives off spooky vibes.
• He gives off happy vibes at school.
Other ways to say: Feels like, seems like
Fun Fact/Origin: “Vibes” is short for vibrations—like a mood you feel.
Usage: Used when describing the mood or feeling of someone or something.
33. Give a warm welcome
Meaning: Greet someone kindly.
Example Sentence:
• The class gave a warm welcome to the new student.
• They gave the guests a warm welcome at the party.
Other ways to say: Greet kindly, make feel at home
Fun Fact/Origin: Warm feelings = friendly feelings.
Usage: Used when making someone feel included.
34. Give the evil eye
Meaning: Look at someone in an angry way.
Example Sentence:
• She gave me the evil eye after I took her seat.
• He gave the evil eye when his toy got broken.
Other ways to say: Angry look, glare
Fun Fact/Origin: Ancient people believed looks could carry power.
Usage: Used when someone is angry or annoyed.
35. Give the game away
Meaning: Reveal a secret plan or surprise.
Example Sentence:
• He gave the game away by smiling when we asked about the party.
• Don’t give the game away—we want it to be a surprise!
Other ways to say: Spoil the plan, reveal the secret
Fun Fact/Origin: From sports and spying—revealing too much.
Usage: Used when someone says something too soon.
Quiz: Idioms About Gifts
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “look a gift horse in the mouth” mean?
A) To be excited about a gift
B) To check the cost of a gift
C) To complain about a gift
2. What does “give someone the cold shoulder” mean?
A) Offer someone a coat
B) Ignore someone
C) Give someone a compliment
3. If someone has the “gift of gab,” what are they good at?
A) Cooking
B) Talking
C) Drawing
4. What does “give your all” mean?
A) Share your toys
B) Try your hardest
C) Spend all your money
5. If you “give up the ghost,” what happens?
A) You become a ghost
B) Something stops working
C) You fall asleep
6. What does it mean to “give someone a hand”?
A) Clap for them
B) Draw a picture
C) Help them
7. If someone “gives the game away,” what did they do?
A) Win a game
B) Tell a secret
C) Share a toy
8. What does “born with a silver spoon in your mouth” mean?
A) You like shiny things
B) You were born rich
C) You had a lot of toys as a baby
9. What does “give someone butterflies” mean?
A) Give them pets
B) Make them scared
C) Make them feel nervous or excited
10. If someone “gives you a piece of their mind,” how are they acting?
A) Politely
B) Mad or serious
C) Quietly
11. What does “give your two cents” mean?
A) Pay for candy
B) Share your opinion
C) Save money
12. What does “give the green light” mean?
A) Turn on a light
B) Approve or say “go ahead”
C) Paint something green
Answer Key
- C) To complain about a gift
- B) Ignore someone
- B) Talking
- B) Try your hardest
- B) Something stops working
- C) Help them
- B) Tell a secret
- B) You were born rich
- C) Make them feel nervous or excited
- B) Mad or serious
- B) Share your opinion
- B) Approve or say “go ahead”
Wrapping Up
Idioms about gifts help us talk in more fun and colorful ways. They don’t always mean what they sound like, so learning them can help you understand people better. These phrases are often used in daily life, at home, in school, or with friends.
By using these gift idioms, you can describe kindness, surprises, and even feelings. Try using a few next time you talk to someone or write a story. It’s a simple way to grow your vocabulary and sound more natural in English.
