A blab is someone who talks too much. This person often shares secrets. They might tell your secrets to other people. It means they are not good at keeping secrets. They like to gossip and chat all the time.
§ Common Misunderstandings and Misuses of 'Blab'
The word "blab" is a wonderfully descriptive term, but because of its informal nature and the existence of similar-sounding words, it's often misused or misunderstood. This section aims to clarify common errors and provide guidance on using "blab" accurately and effectively in your English communication.
§ Confusing 'Blab' (noun) with 'Blab' (verb)
One of the primary sources of confusion arises from the fact that "blab" exists as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the person who talks too much or reveals secrets. As a verb, it means to reveal secrets or talk indiscreetly. The context usually makes it clear, but it's important to remember that when we're talking about *a blab*, we're referring to an individual.
- DEFINITION
- A person who habitually talks too much or indiscreetly reveals secrets and private information.
Don't tell Sarah your secret; she's a total blab.
He tends to blab about everything.
§ Using 'Blab' for General Talkativeness
While a "blab" is certainly talkative, the core of the word emphasizes the indiscreet revelation of secrets or private information. It's not just about someone who talks a lot in general, but someone whose talkativeness leads to revealing things they shouldn't. Using "blab" for someone who is merely chatty, without the implication of sharing secrets, is a misuse.
- **Incorrect:** "My aunt is such a blab; she can talk for hours about anything." (Unless she's revealing secrets, 'chatterbox' or 'talkative person' would be more appropriate.)
- **Correct:** "I can't trust him with sensitive information; he's a real blab."
§ Overlapping with Similar Words without Nuance
English has a rich vocabulary for talkative individuals, and it's easy to conflate "blab" with terms like "gossip," "tale-bearer," or "chatterbox." While there's overlap, each carries a slightly different nuance.
- **Gossip:** Primarily focuses on spreading rumors or personal information, often negative, whether true or not. A blab might engage in gossip, but a blab's defining characteristic is revealing *confidences*.
- **Tale-bearer:** Specifically someone who informs on others, often with malicious intent. While a blab might inadvertently do this, the intent isn't always the same.
- **Chatterbox:** Someone who talks a lot, often incessantly, but not necessarily revealing secrets.
Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the most precise word for your meaning.
§ Using 'Blab' in Formal Contexts
"Blab" is an informal word. Using it in formal writing or professional settings can sound out of place or unprofessional. In such contexts, more formal synonyms like "indiscreet person," "informant" (if malicious), or a more descriptive phrase would be preferable.
**Informal:** "Our team has a real blab who always leaks information to competitors."
**Formal:** "There appears to be an indiscreet individual within our team who is disseminating confidential information to competitors."
§ Overuse or Underuse
Like any word, "blab" can lose its impact if overused. Conversely, if you have a clear need to describe someone who cannot keep a secret, and you opt for a weaker or less specific word, you might miss an opportunity for vivid description.
§ Incorrect Pluralization
While less common, some might incorrectly pluralize "blab." The correct plural form is simply "blabs."
- **Incorrect:** "There were many blabs' at the party."
- **Correct:** "There were many blabs at the party, and I worried about my secret getting out."
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use the word "blab" more accurately and effectively to convey your intended meaning, particularly in informal contexts where its descriptive power truly shines.
按水平分级的例句
He is a blab.
Он болтун.
Simple present tense.
My friend is a blab.
Мой друг болтун.
Simple present tense.
She was a blab.
Она была болтушкой.
Simple past tense.
Don't be a blab.
Не будь болтуном.
Imperative sentence.
Is he a blab?
Он болтун?
Simple present tense question.
The girl is a blab.
Девочка болтушка.
Simple present tense.
We saw a blab.
Мы видели болтуна.
Simple past tense.
I know a blab.
Я знаю болтуна.
Simple present tense.
I wouldn't tell her your secret; she's a real blab and everyone would know by tomorrow.
No le contaría tu secreto; es una verdadera bocazas y todos lo sabrían mañana.
Here 'blab' is used as a noun, referring to the person.
He's such a blab; you can never trust him with any sensitive information.
Es tan bocazas; nunca puedes confiarle información sensible.
'Such a blab' emphasizes the characteristic.
The new employee turned out to be a blab, spreading rumors around the office.
El nuevo empleado resultó ser un bocazas, difundiendo rumores por la oficina.
Describes a person's behavior with the noun 'blab'.
Be careful what you say around him; he's known to be a blab.
Ten cuidado con lo que dices cerca de él; se sabe que es un bocazas.
Advisory tone, indicating a reputation.
My little brother is a bit of a blab, so I have to be careful what I say in front of him.
Mi hermano pequeño es un poco bocazas, así que tengo que tener cuidado con lo que digo delante de él.
'A bit of a blab' softens the description slightly.
She's not just chatty, she's a blab; she can't keep anything to herself.
No es solo habladora, es una bocazas; no puede guardarse nada para sí misma.
Contrasting 'chatty' with 'blab' to emphasize the indiscreet aspect.
The team needs someone discreet, not a blab who will leak project details.
El equipo necesita a alguien discreto, no un bocazas que filtre los detalles del proyecto.
Used in a professional context, highlighting a negative trait.
I learned my lesson after telling him my secret; he's a total blab.
Aprendí la lección después de contarle mi secreto; es un bocazas total.
'A total blab' emphasizes the complete nature of the characteristic.
近义词
反义词
习语与表达
"Loose cannon"
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not controlled. This can apply to someone who talks too much or reveals secrets without thinking.
He's a real loose cannon; you can't tell him anything confidential.
neutral"Big mouth"
A person who talks too much or reveals secrets.
I told him a secret, and he immediately told everyone else. He's such a big mouth!
informal"Can't keep a secret"
Unable to refrain from telling others confidential information.
Don't tell Sarah; she just can't keep a secret.
neutral"Gossip monger"
A person who spreads rumors and private information.
She's known as a gossip monger, so be careful what you say around her.
neutral"Running off at the mouth"
Talking excessively and often indiscreetly.
He was running off at the mouth about the company's financial troubles.
informal"Tells all"
Reveals everything, especially secrets or private information.
After a few drinks, he tends to tell all.
neutral"Spill the beans"
To reveal a secret or private information, often unintentionally.
Come on, spill the beans! What did he say?
informal"Let the cat out of the bag"
To reveal a secret, especially accidentally.
She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
informal"Loose lips sink ships"
A warning that indiscreet talk can have serious consequences.
Remember, loose lips sink ships; don't talk about the new product launch.
neutral"Chatterbox"
A person who talks a lot, often incessantly.
My aunt is a real chatterbox; she can talk for hours.
informal如何使用
The term 'blab' as a noun is informal and often used in a slightly derogatory way to describe someone who talks excessively or reveals secrets. It can be used for both men and women. While it generally implies negative connotations, in some casual contexts, it might be used light-heartedly among friends, though it still carries the implication of someone not being good at keeping secrets.
One common mistake is confusing 'blab' (noun) with the verb 'to blab,' which means to reveal secrets carelessly. Another mistake is using 'blab' in formal settings, as its informal nature might be considered inappropriate or unprofessional. Also, be careful not to confuse it with 'blah,' which is an interjection indicating boredom or unenthusiasm.
自我测试 30 个问题
Listen to the word 'blab'.
Listen for 'talks a lot'.
Listen for 'secrets'.
Read this aloud:
She is a blab.
Focus: blab
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
He talks too much, he is a blab.
Focus: blab, much
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
I don't like blabs.
Focus: blabs
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence about someone who tells secrets. Use simple words.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My friend tells secrets. He is a blab.
Imagine you have a secret. Who do you NOT tell it to? Write one sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I have a secret. I do not tell it to a blab.
Complete the sentence: A person who talks too much is a ____.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A person who talks too much is a blab.
What kind of person is Mary?
Read this passage:
My friend Mary is nice. But she tells all my secrets. She talks too much. I cannot tell her important things.
What kind of person is Mary?
Mary tells all secrets and talks too much, which means she is a blab.
Mary tells all secrets and talks too much, which means she is a blab.
Why will Tom not tell Jane his secret?
Read this passage:
Tom has a big secret. He wants to tell someone. But he knows his friend Jane tells everything. So, Tom will not tell Jane.
Why will Tom not tell Jane his secret?
The passage says Jane 'tells everything,' which means she is a blab and cannot keep secrets.
The passage says Jane 'tells everything,' which means she is a blab and cannot keep secrets.
Can a dog be a blab?
Read this passage:
My dog barks a lot. He is not a blab. A blab is a person. A blab tells secrets.
Can a dog be a blab?
The passage clearly states 'A blab is a person,' meaning a dog cannot be a blab.
The passage clearly states 'A blab is a person,' meaning a dog cannot be a blab.
The speaker is complaining about Sarah.
The speaker is giving advice about Mark's character.
The speaker is worried about someone revealing a secret.
Read this aloud:
Can you believe what a blab he is? I told him not to tell anyone!
Focus: blab
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
She has a reputation for being a blab, so I'm always careful about what I share with her.
Focus: reputation, blab
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Don't be such a blab! It's important to keep some things private.
Focus: blab, private
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The correct order forms a complete sentence: 'He's such a real blab, he can't keep a secret.'
The words correctly assemble into: 'She's a blab, don't trust her with any confidential information.'
The proper sequence creates the sentence: 'The office blab knows everything about everyone.'
The constant chatter of that office ___ makes it impossible to concentrate on any serious work; she just can't keep anything to herself.
A 'blab' is a person who habitually talks too much or indiscreetly reveals secrets and private information, fitting the context of someone whose constant chatter and inability to keep things to themselves disrupts serious work.
Despite being warned about confidentiality, the new intern proved to be a real ___, leaking sensitive project details to rival companies within a week.
The term 'blab' accurately describes someone who cannot be trusted with confidential information and indiscreetly reveals secrets, as the intern did by leaking sensitive project details.
I confided in him about my promotion, but by lunch, the entire department knew; he's such a ___, incapable of keeping a secret.
A 'blab' is precisely the type of person who cannot keep a confidence and reveals private information, which aligns with the scenario of a promotion being revealed to the entire department.
The CEO's private discussions were often overheard and then spread throughout the company, leading many to suspect a ___ among the executive assistants.
The context implies someone who indiscreetly reveals secrets and private information, fitting the definition of a 'blab' as the source of leaked private discussions.
Her reputation as a ___ preceded her, so no one dared to share any personal anecdotes during the team-building retreat.
The word 'blab' accurately describes a person who habitually talks too much or indiscreetly reveals secrets, which would explain why others would be hesitant to share personal anecdotes.
It's best not to tell Sarah anything you want to keep private; she's a notorious ___, and your secret will be public knowledge by morning.
A 'blab' is someone who cannot be trusted to keep a confidence and will reveal secrets, perfectly matching the warning about Sarah and her inability to keep private information.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
例句
I'm not telling her anything important because she is a total blab.
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aah
A1这是表示宽慰、满意或高兴时发出的声音。有时也用来表示疼痛或惊讶。
accentuate
C1To make a particular feature of something more noticeable or prominent. It is frequently used to describe how one thing emphasizes the beauty, importance, or intensity of another.
acknowledgment
B2An acknowledgment is the act of accepting or admitting that something is true, or a formal statement confirming that something has been received. It can also refer to a public expression of thanks for someone's help or contribution.
actually
B1Actually is used to emphasize that something is a real fact or the truth, often contrasting with what was thought or said. It can also be used to introduce a surprising piece of information or to gently correct someone.
address
A2直接和某人说话，或者处理某个问题。也可以指发表演讲，或者在信封上写地址。
addressee
B2The person or organization to whom a letter, package, or message is addressed. It refers to the intended recipient of a piece of communication.
adlocment
C1Describes a style of communication or behavior that is formal, directed, and oratorical in nature, specifically pertaining to a public address or a declamatory speech. It is used to characterize language that is intentionally designed to be heard by an audience for the purpose of instruction or inspiration.
adloctude
C1形容一种正式且直接的交流风格，既平易近人又保持着权威感。
admonish
C1To firmly warn or reprimand someone for their behavior, or to advise someone earnestly to do or avoid something. It often implies a sense of moral guidance or authoritative concern rather than just anger.
adpassant
C1To mention or address a secondary topic briefly and incidentally while focused on a primary task or discussion. It describes an action that occurs seamlessly 'in passing' without disrupting the main narrative or workflow.
