gag

Everyday

1. (noun) A joke or a funny trick, especially by a comedian: a running gag. tree →
2. (verb) To feel as if you are going to be sick, with your throat tightening: the smell made me gag. tree →
3. (noun) A piece of cloth put over or in someone's mouth to stop them talking or shouting. tree →
4. (verb) To stop someone from speaking freely, for example a newspaper: a gagging order. tree →
5. (informal) «Gagging for something» (UK slang) means wanting it very much: I'm gagging for a drink. tree →
6. To gag someone means to put a cloth over their mouth so they cannot speak or shout. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a gag can be a joke, or a sign of danger when a villain gags a captive. In everyday life children «gag» on food they dislike or at bad smells. In news and law, a gagging order stops people publicly talking about something. Phrases: a running gag, sight gag, gag reflex, gagging order, gagging for it (avoid this one: it can sound rude).

Examples

• The comedian's best gag was about a talking dog. tree →
• The smell from the bin made me gag. tree →
• The running gag in the cartoon is that the dog never gets the ball. tree →
• The robbers had tied a gag around the guard's mouth. tree →
• Some people gag when the dentist checks their back teeth. tree →
• The judge gave a gagging order so the newspapers could not print the names. tree →
• After footy training I was gagging for a cold drink. tree →
• Dad's old gags make us groan every Christmas. tree →
• With ironical politeness Hook raised his hat to her, and, offering her his arm, escorted her to the spot where the others were being gagged. tree →

Note

Verb: double g before -ed and -ing (gagged, gagging). «Gag reflex» is the body's automatic way of stopping you choking. In the UK, «gagging for it» can have an adult meaning; it is better avoided. A «gag» (joke) is not the same as a «gaggle» (a group of geese).