chutzpa
- noun
- /ˈhuːts.pə/
- Informal
- His chutzpa impressed everyone when he boldly challenged the professor's arguments.
Examples
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It takes real chutzpa to interrupt someone during a serious meeting.
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They won't dare have the chutzpah to to carry on trying to cheat us in this way.
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She had the chutzpa to demand a raise on her very first day at work.
Synonyms
Bold behaviour that shows no shame
Rude bold behaviour that shows little respect for others
Rude boldness that shows no shame
A bold, shameless confidence that can shock or impress people
Bold confidence that ignores danger
A way of acting that is too bold, loud, and rude
Shameless boldness that ignores what people consider proper
Very bold, shameless actions that ignore normal rules
Bold playful behaviour that is a little rude
A bold, slightly rude way of speaking or acting that is playful and shows little respect
A very bold, shameless confidence that shocks people
Bold, fearless action that can seem rude
Antonyms
How Bold
Surface Forms
Etymology
Chutzpa comes from Yiddish and Hebrew chutzpah, which means 'shameless audacity' or 'insolence'. Think of it like the English word 'nerve' — the bold, rude courage to do something surprising, and that is why chutzpa means daring, impudent behaviour.