way with
47
4.8
- idiom
:
facilidad para tratar con
- You really do have a way with words.
I have a way with animals now, and nobody understands.
- I have a way with animals now, and nobody understands.
Examples
-
You have such a way with these little ones.
-
- He has a way with women.
-
- You have a really beautiful way with words.
-
That Father of yours sure has a way with words.
-
You seem to have a way with women.
-
You really have a way with kids.
-
You know, I really do have a way with people on the phone.
Fiction book (1993) -
Some people have more of a way with words than others do.
Academic text (1994) -
Your grandfather had a way with words.
-
You have a real way with children; they seem to respond to you immediately.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Skill or power to do something
∞
1.0
Ability to do something well because of practice or training
866
1.2
An ability someone has naturally to do something well
25
4.2
An ability to do something easily and well
12
2.9
An ability someone is born with to do something well
1
6.1
A natural ability to do something well
Antonyms
How Skillful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase 'a way with X' is partially compositional: 'way' (manner) combined with 'with' (in relation to) suggests a manner of dealing with someone or something. However, the leap from 'manner' to the stronger, stable sense of a natural ability or talent is somewhat idiomatic and not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Way with comes from the simple image of someone having a special way or method with a person or thing, like a person who knows how to calm animals. So, if someone has a way with people or words, it means they have a natural 'ability' to handle them well.