gift that keeps on giving
gift that keeps on giving · gifts that keep on giving
Something with ongoing consequencesSomething with ongoing consequences; usually, one with positive ongoing consequences.
Meaning
2 senses(idiomatic)Something with ongoing consequences; usually, one with positive ongoing consequences.
Those flower bulbs that our neighbor gave us are a gift that keeps on giving — they keep blooming year after year.
Something with ongoing consequences; usually, one with positive ongoing consequences.
(idiomatic, slang)A sexually transmitted disease.
That one-night stand that some tramp gave him is a gift that keeps on giving — he's had syphilis for years now.
Origin
The disease sense is by irony.The disease sense is by irony.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: gifts that keep on giving| Singular | gift that keeps on giving |
|---|---|
| Plural | gifts that keep on giving |
irregular · Lesson
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular