blab
C1Informal, Colloquial, Slightly Negative
Definition
Meaning
To reveal a secret or sensitive information, especially through careless or indiscreet talk.
To talk indiscreetly, excessively, or thoughtlessly about something; to chatter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies a breach of trust or confidentiality. Can be intransitive ('Don't blab!') or transitive ('She blabbed the secret.'). The action is often seen as untrustworthy or foolish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
In both, the word carries a strong negative connotation of betrayal or indiscretion. Slightly more playful or childish in some American contexts.
Frequency
Equally informal and moderately common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
blab (about something) [intransitive]blab something [transitive]blab something to somebodyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spill the beans (a stronger, more common idiom for the same concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not appropriate for formal business communication. Used informally: 'He blabbed about the merger before the announcement.'
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing; may appear in literary analysis of dialogue.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to scold or warn someone about gossip. 'Don't blab to your sister about her surprise party!'
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If you blab to the headmaster, there'll be trouble.
- She accidentally blabbed the holiday plans to the kids.
- He's a terrible gossip and will blab about anything.
American English
- Don't blab about the surprise party to anyone!
- The suspect blabbed the whole plan to the cops.
- I can't tell him anything; he just blabs it all over town.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please don't blab my secret.
- He blabbed to his friend about the test answers.
- I trusted her, but she went and blabbed the entire strategy to our competitors.
- The undercover agent was compromised after a nervous informant blabbed his identity to the wrong people.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'BLABbermouth' – a person whose mouth 'blabs' secrets out carelessly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS LEAKAGE / SECRETS ARE CONTAINED OBJECTS (that can be spilled).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'болтать' (to chat) which is more neutral. 'Blab' is negative. Closer to 'проболтаться' or 'разболтать (секрет)'.
- Do not confuse with 'to blabber' (бессвязно говорить), though they are related.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Confusing it with 'babble' (to make meaningless sounds).
- Using it as a noun (the noun form is 'blabbermouth', not 'blab').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'to blab'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and colloquial. Use 'disclose', 'divulge', or 'reveal' in formal contexts.
'Gossip' is talking about other people's private lives, often for entertainment. 'Blab' specifically means revealing a secret you were entrusted with, breaking confidence.
Very rarely. The standard noun for a person who blabs is 'blabbermouth'. 'Blab' is almost exclusively a verb.
You 'blab about' a secret or topic. You 'blab to' a person. 'Blab on someone' (meaning inform on them) is less common but exists in some dialects/slang.
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