hutzpah
Definition
Noun: - Unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity: Extreme self-confidence or boldness that is often perceived as rude or disrespectful. It implies a nerve or cheek that is surprising or shocking.
Usage
The word "hutzpah" is used to describe a person's behavior that shows a brazen, almost unbelievable disregard for normal social conventions, rules, or politeness. It often carries a tone of disapproval or astonishment at the sheer nerve involved.
Examples
- It took a lot of hutzpah for him to ask for a raise after only a week on the job.
- She had the hutzpah to correct the professor in front of the entire class.
- I can't believe the hutzpah of that company, sending me a bill for a service I never ordered.
Advanced Usage
- To have the hutzpah to do something: This is the most common construction, used to highlight a specific audacious action.
- He had the hutzpah to deny it, even with the evidence right in front of him.
Variants and Related Words
- Chutzpah: This is the more common and standard transliteration from the original Yiddish (חוצפּה). "Hutzpah" is an alternative spelling.
- Gall (noun): Similar meaning of rude boldness.
- Audacity (noun): Boldness or daring, often with a connotation of disrespect.
- Nerve (noun, informal): Impudent boldness.
Synonyms
- Boldness
- Brass (informal)
- Cheek (informal, especially British English)
- Impudence
- Temerity
Idioms and Phrases
- That takes some hutzpah!: An exclamation commenting on an act of extreme audacity.
- You parked in the CEO's spot? That takes some hutzpah!
Noun
-
(Yiddish) unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity
