bridge a gap

To alleviate the effects of a shortcoming, usually temporarily. This government grant is intended to help businesses bridge a gap during times of economic uncertainty. Yes, but if we don't settle until August, how are we going to bridge a gap in housing for a month? If you really need to bridge a gap until payday, I could lend you some money.

See also: bridge, gap

bridge the gap

1. Literally, to function as a bridge and connect two points. Don't worry, there are rocks bridging the gap up ahead—we can cross there. What exactly do you kids plan to use to bridge the gap between the two treehouses? As long as there are some tree branches bridging the gap over the water, we'll be fine on our hike.

2. To serve as a point of connection between disparate people or groups. I thought Senator Davis was working to bridge the gap between the parties on this controversial issue. A lingua franca is used to bridge the gap between people who do not speak the same language. I bet your knowledge of video games will still help you bridge the gap with your students.

3. To alleviate the effects of a shortcoming, usually temporarily. I just need to borrow some money to bridge the gap until I get paid again. This government grant is intended to help businesses bridge the gap during times of economic uncertainty. We're only living with my parents for a month to bridge the gap until we can settle on our new house.

See also: bridge, gap

Catholic gap

slang For a Catholic wedding, the period of time between the end of the wedding ceremony at the church and the start of the reception at another location. This typically happens with an early afternoon wedding and an evening reception. Ugh, what are we going to do during the Catholic gap? We should at least go and get drinks somewhere. Luckily, one of the friends I'm going with lives near the church, so we can hang out at her house during the Catholic gap. Thank goodness for the Catholic gap because I totally forgot their gift at home!

close the gap (between someone or something)

To reduce or eliminate some disparity or imbalance between two people, things, groups, etc. The former champions were ahead by 21 points at halftime, but the underdogs have been steadily closing the gap. This initiative is meant to help close the gap between independent, locally owned businesses and giant megacorporations. The other candidate is way ahead in the polls, and we're running out of time to close the gap.

credibility gap

The discrepancy between the lofty promises that a person makes and the resulting action or situation. The politician suffered a credibility gap regarding his claims about the economy's improvement because his constituents were still unable to find work. For two weeks straight, our contractor has promised to come finish our job, and we still haven't seen him. The credibility gap is definitely growing—along with our annoyance. If you overpromise in the interview and under-deliver in the job, you're definitely going to face a credibility gap.

fill the gap

To assist on a temporary basis. Aunt Helen is coming over to stay with us and fill the gap until Mom gets home from work. You're going to fill the gap while Carrie's on maternity leave? Oh, thank goodness. No, we got that project done—Rebecca filled the gap while you were on vacation.

gender gap

A phrase that can be applied to any socioeconomic difference that exists between men and women. I really hope Maureen's big raise helps to lessen the gender gap in wages at this company. We're both editors, but he makes more than me—why might that be? The good ol' gender gap, perhaps? When are major corporations finally going to close the gender gap and pay women what they're worth?

generation gap

The difference of opinions and attitudes, especially in relation to social changes and politics, that develop as each generation changes from the one before it. Attitudes toward gay marriage reflect a clear generation gap on the issue today. I grew up in the '60s, when there was a tremendous generation gap regarding the Vietnam War. I definitely feel the generation gap with my own parents now that I'm a parent. I don't want to employ their rules, like, "Children should be seen and not heard."

mind the gap

An audio or visual instruction used in the UK and Ireland to be careful stepping over the space between a train's carriage and the platform when boarding or disembarking. Primarily heard in UK, Ireland. Your train is now arriving. Please mind the gap.

narrow the gap

To lessen the distance, difference, or disparity between two sides, viewpoints, positions, etc. Now that I know he's making $10,000 more than me, management will have to narrow the gap if they want me to stay on. It would really behoove those in power to work to narrow the enormous gap between liberals and conservatives.

stand in the gap

To assume a position of active, resolute defense (for or against something). From Ezekiel 22:30: "And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none." We are all called to stand in the gap to defend what we know in our hearts to be morally correct and essential.

stop a gap

To temporarily cover or fill in a deficiency or need. We need you to work the next two weeks with the marketing department. It's just to stop a gap until Meredith's replacement is ready to start. I know you want more than an apple, but it's just to stop a gap until we come to the next rest area.

thigh gap

The space visible between one's inner thighs when one stands with knees touching or almost touching. Because thinness contributes to a thigh gap, this concept is often regarded or criticized as a beauty ideal. I worry that the media is encouraging young girls to see a thigh gap as beautiful and necessary.

wage gap

A discrepancy in the amount of money earned between two or more different demographics performing the same job. Used especially in reference to the discrepancy between how much men and women earn. The advocacy group focuses on narrowing the wage gap by implementing measures that make it easier for women to reenter or remain in the workforce while having kids. There is clearly a racial wage gap in this industry, when you look at the top earners from various ethnic backgrounds and how much they earn on average.

bridge the gap

1. Lit. to make a bridge that reaches across a space. The engineers decided to bridge the gap with a wooden structure.

2. Fig. to do or create something that will serve temporarily. We can bridge the gap with a few temporary employees.

See also: bridge, gap

fill the gap

to serve temporarily. I think that the temp will fill the gap until a new person can be hired.

credibility gap

Distrust of a public statement or position, as in The current credibility gap at City Hall is the result of miscommunication between the mayor's office and the press . This term originated about 1960 in connection with the American public's disinclination to believe government statements about the Vietnam War. It soon was extended to individuals and corporations as well as government agencies to express a lack of confidence in the truth of their statements, or perception of a discrepancy between words and actions.

gender gap

A broad difference between men and women, as in There is still an enormous gender gap in the wages of unskilled labor. This expression at first referred to the difference between men and women in voting preferences. It has since been extended to other areas. [1970s]

generation gap

A broad difference in values and attitudes between one generation and another, especially between parents and their children. For example, There's a real generation gap in their choice of music, restaurants, clothing-you name it . [1960s"

stop a gap

serve to meet a temporary need.

bridge the ˈgap (between A and B)

(also bridge the ˈgulf (between A and B) less frequent) make it easier to move from one thing to another or for two groups to communicate with each other: The hostel helps to bridge the gap between prison and life on the outside.

See also: bridge, gap

credibility gap

Lack of belief in a statement or policy. This phrase came into being in 1965 during the Vietnam War, when the American public became aware of differences between what the government said and what actually happened. After the war it was extended to discrepancies between the words and actions of both individuals and corporations. Some believe this term was spawned by the missile gap invoked during the 1960 presidential campaign, when John F. Kennedy charged that U.S. missile production was lagging behind the Soviet Union’s. Soon after the election the charge was dismissed as false. Since then, according to William Safire, “missile gap” has been used to mean exaggerated and misleading claims.