Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Gob

What does it mean?

Gob is a very common (and blunt) British slang term for a person's mouth. You’ll often hear it in phrases like "shut your gob" (be quiet) or "gobsmacked" (so shocked your mouth hangs open).

Is it positive or negative?

Negative/Informal. It's not a polite word, so use it carefully! Telling someone to "shut their gob" is quite rude unless said jokingly between close friends.

When do you use it?

Use it in highly informal settings. It’s also used as a verb in some regions ("to gob") meaning to spit, but the "mouth" meaning is the most universal across the UK.

Examples

Example 1: "Shut your gob! I'm trying to listen to the news."

Example 2: "I was absolutely gobsmacked when she told me she was moving to Australia."

Question for you

What news recently left you feeling 'gobsmacked'?

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