gap



mind the gap

An audio or visual instruction used in the UK and Ireland to be careful stepping over the space between a train's carriage and the platform when boarding or disembarking. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland. Your train is now arriving. Please mind the gap.
See also: gap, mind

stand in the gap

To assume a position of active, resolute defense (for or against something). From Ezekiel 22:30: "And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none." We are all called to stand in the gap to defend what we know in our hearts to be morally correct and essential.
See also: gap, stand

credibility gap

The discrepancy between the lofty promises that a person makes and the resulting action or situation. The politician suffered a credibility gap regarding his claims about the economy's improvement because his constituents were still unable to find work.
See also: credibility, gap

generation gap

The difference of opinions and attitudes, especially in relation to social changes and politics, that develop as each generation changes from the one before it. Attitudes toward gay marriage reflects a clear generation gap on the issue today.
See also: gap, generation

bridge the gap

 
1. Lit. to make a bridge that reaches across a space. The engineers decided to bridge the gap with a wooden structure.
2. Fig. to do or create something that will serve temporarily. We can bridge the gap with a few temporary employees.
See also: bridge, gap

fill the gap

to serve temporarily. I think that the temp will fill the gap until a new person can be hired.
See also: fill, gap

bridge the gap

to make a connection where there is a great difference He promises to change the tax laws to bridge the gap between the rich and poor.
Usage notes: often used with between, as in the example
See also: bridge, gap

a credibility gap

a difference between what someone says about a situation and what you know or see is true There's a credibility gap developing between me and my builders. This is the third week they've told me they'll finish by Friday.
See also: credibility, gap

a generation gap

the lack of understanding between older and younger people that is caused by their different experiences, opinions and behaviour It is unusual for a singer to bridge the generation gap and appeal to both young and old alike. There's a big age difference between us but we've never been troubled by a generation gap.
See also: gap, generation

credibility gap

Distrust of a public statement or position, as in The current credibility gap at City Hall is the result of miscommunication between the mayor's office and the press . This term originated about 1960 in connection with the American public's disinclination to believe government statements about the Vietnam War. It soon was extended to individuals and corporations as well as government agencies to express a lack of confidence in the truth of their statements, or perception of a discrepancy between words and actions.
See also: credibility, gap

gender gap

A broad difference between men and women, as in There is still an enormous gender gap in the wages of unskilled labor. This expression at first referred to the difference between men and women in voting preferences. It has since been extended to other areas. [1970s]
See also: gap, gender

generation gap

A broad difference in values and attitudes between one generation and another, especially between parents and their children. For example, There's a real generation gap in their choice of music, restaurants, clothing-you name it . [1960s"
See also: gap, generation

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
FitzFITSEnglish (Rare)
Edison['edisn]
LucyLOO-seeEnglish
RosalynROZ-ə-linEnglish
ZebulunZEB-yoo-lən (English)Biblical
Bernardbər-NAHRD (English), BUR-nərd (English), ber-NAHR (French), BER-nahrt (Polish, Croatian)English, French, Dutch, Polish, Croatian, Slovene, Czech, Ancient Germanic