1 give
Pronounced:
/ˈgɪv/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
gives; gave /ˈgeɪv/ giv·en /ˈgɪvən/ giv·ing Meaning:
1 [+ obj] a : to cause or allow someone to have (something) as a present : to make a present of (something) ▪ She gave him a camera for Christmas. ▪ Someone gave me a present. = Someone gave a present to me. = I was given a present. = A present was given (to) me. ▪ Are you giving this to me or only lending it? b : to cause or allow (something valued or needed) to go to another person, group, etc. : donate [+ obj] ▪ She has given money to many worthy/good causes. ▪ They're asking people to give money for a new hospital. ▪ give blood [no obj] ▪ Please give to our charity. ▪ We already gave at the office. ▪ It is better to give than to receive.
2 [+ obj] : to put (something) into someone's hand ▪ He picked up the letter and gave [=handed] it to me. ▪ He gave me the letter. : to cause someone to hold or possess (something) for a specified reason ▪ He gave me a letter to mail for him. = He gave a letter to me to mail for him. ▪ He gave her his coat to hold.
3 [+ obj] a : to provide someone with (something wanted or needed) ▪ She has given me a lot of help/support/encouragement. [=she has helped/supported/encouraged me a lot] ▪ They gave me a job. [=they hired me] ▪ He gave me a head start. ▪ I'll give you a lift/ride to the station. [=I'll drive you to the station in my car] : to allow someone to have (something wanted or needed) ▪ I know I can do it if you'll just give me a chance. ▪ They gave her another opportunity. ▪ Her boss has given her a lot of responsibility/authority. ▪ They gave him the best room available. ▪ The law gives all citizens the right to vote. = The law gives the right to vote to all citizens. b : to allow someone to have or take (an amount of time) ▪ Just give me a few more minutes and I'll be ready. ▪ The doctor gave him two weeks to pay his bill.
4 [+ obj] a : to treat or regard someone or something with (a particular attitude, feeling, etc.) ▪ She gave her friend her complete confidence. = She gave her complete confidence to her friend. [=she trusted her friend completely] ▪ He gave the company his loyalty. [=he was loyal to the company] ▪ They've worked hard. You should give them some respect. [=you should respect them] b : to direct (something) toward someone ▪ She gave him an angry look. [=she looked at him angrily] ▪ He gave her a smile. [=he smiled at her]
5 [+ obj] a : to tell (information) to someone ▪ Just give me the facts. ▪ They weren't able to give us the information we needed. ▪ The witness was reluctant to give evidence. ▪ He gave his name as “John Smith.” [=he said his name was “John Smith”] ▪ The drawing gives [=shows] the dimensions of the room. ▪ The book gives [=provides] a brief history of the industry. b : to express or say (something) to someone ▪ You have no right to give me orders. ▪ They gave him careful instructions on how to proceed. ▪ Give them my regards. = Give my regards to them. ▪ His parents gave him a lecture about the importance of studying. ▪ The coach gave the team a pep talk. ▪ I give you my word [=I swear; I promise], I knew nothing about their plans. ▪ Just give it to me straight. [=just say what you are going to say to me in a direct way] ◊The informal phrase don't give me that is used in speech to show annoyance when someone tells you something that you do not believe or accept. ▪ “It's not my fault that we're late.” “Don't give me that! You were the one who said we didn't have to leave early!” c : to show (something) ▪ a young artist who has given evidence/signs of real talent ▪ She gave (us) no hint/indication that she was upset or worried. d : to offer (something) for consideration or acceptance ▪ He declined to give an opinion. ▪ Can you give an example? ▪ He gave no reason for his absence.
6 [+ obj] : to say that someone has or deserves (something) ▪ He gives the credit for his success to his wife. [=he credits his wife for his success]
7 [+ obj] a : to cause someone to have or experience (something, such as an emotion, a problem, etc.) ▪ My car has been giving [=causing] me a lot of trouble lately. ▪ I like Mexican food, but it gives me indigestion. ▪ a book that gives pleasure to the reader ▪ All that noise is giving me a headache. [=I'm getting a headache from all that noise] ▪ It gave me a shock to see how sick he is. ▪ Her encouragement gave me a lot of self-confidence. [=made me feel very self-confident] b : to cause someone to become affected by (something, such as an illness) ▪ His sister gave him the measles. [=he got/caught the measles from his sister] ▪ Hearing the joke gave him the giggles. [=hearing the joke made him giggle] c : to cause someone or something to have (a quality) ▪ His quiet manner gives him a mysterious air. ▪ The large windows give the room an open feeling. d : to cause something to be affected by (something) ▪ He argues that the tax cuts would give a considerable stimulus/boost to the economy.
8 [+ obj] : to cause someone to get or take (a medicine) ▪ The doctor gave the patient a pill. ▪ The doctor gave him an injection. ▪ The drug is usually given intravenously.
9 [+ obj] a : to present (a show, speech, etc.) in public ▪ give a concert/lecture/talk/speech/reading/performance b : to provide (something) as entertainment or as a social gathering ▪ give [=throw] a party ▪ give a formal dinner
10 [+ obj] : to do (an action) ▪ She gave the door a push. [=she pushed the door] ▪ He gave her a hug. [=he hugged her] ▪ He gave a cynical smile. [=he smiled cynically] ▪ She picked up the package and gave it a shake. [=she shook the package] ▪ The referee gave [=made] the signal to start the game. ▪ The ship gave a sudden lurch. [=the ship lurched suddenly]
11 [+ obj] a : to cause someone to experience or suffer (a form of punishment) ▪ His father gave the boy a whipping. ▪ The judge gave him life (imprisonment) for murder. b : to cause someone to undergo or do (something) ▪ The teacher gave the class a test.
12 ◊To give something thought/consideration (etc.) is to think about it. ▪ We've given your proposal a lot of thought and careful consideration. [=we've thought about your proposal a lot and considered it carefully]
13 ◊To give someone a call/ring/buzz/bell is to make a telephone call to someone. ▪ I'll give you a call later.
14 ◊If you try to do something, you give it a try or (informally) give it a go/shot/stab. ▪ I've never gone skiing before, but I'm willing to give it a try.
15 ◊If you would give anything or give your right hand/arm to do or to have something, you want to do or have it very much. ▪ I'd give anything to be able to sing like that!
16 [+ obj] : to make (something, such as your hand) available for someone ▪ She gave [=offered] her hand to him to shake/kiss. = She gave him her hand to shake/kiss. [=she held out her hand toward him so that he could shake/kiss it] ▪ She gave him her arm [=she linked her arm in his arm] and they walked together into the room. ◊When a woman gives her hand in marriage to a man, she marries him. This is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned expression.
17 [+ obj] a : pay ▪ I wouldn't give a penny for that old bike! ▪ If you have an extra ticket, I'll give you $20 for it. b : sell ▪ I'm willing to give you the ticket for $20.
18 [+ obj] : to say or judge that someone or something will last for (an amount of time) ▪ The doctor gave him only a few weeks to live. [=the doctor said that he would live for only a few weeks] ▪ Their marriage will never work. I give it/them six months—tops!
19 [+ obj] informal : to admit (something) to or about someone ▪ He made an effort, I'll give him that (much). [=I'll admit that he made an effort] ▪ I don't really like his movies, but he's a talented actor, I'll give you that. [=I admit that he is a talented actor]
20 [+ obj] : to have or produce (something) as a product, result, or effect ▪ medical procedures that give better results ▪ Cows give milk.
21 [+ obj] formal : to cause someone to believe or think (something) —followed by to + verb ▪ They gave [=led] me to understand that they'd be arriving later. ◊To give someone an idea/impression (etc.) is to cause someone to believe or think something. ▪ Whatever gave you the idea (that) he loved you?! [=whatever made you think that he loved you?] ▪ I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. [=I'm sorry if I misled you; I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression from me] ▪ I don't know what gave her the notion that she could treat people that way.
22 [no obj] a : to bend because of force, pressure, or strain ▪ The branch gave [=sagged] under his weight, but it didn't break. b : to break because of force, pressure, or strain ▪ The branch suddenly gave [=gave way] under his weight, and he fell to the ground.
23 [no obj] : to stop trying to resist or oppose something : to give in or submit to pressure ▪ Both sides refuse to give [=refuse to accept or agree to the demands of the other side] in this dispute. ▪ For the strike to be settled, something has (got) to give! [=one side or the other has to give in]
24 [+ obj] a —used to indicate a possible or assumed state or condition ▪ Give him his books and his music and he's happy. [=he is happy if he has his books and his music] ▪ (If) Given better conditions, she'd do the work even better. = She'd do the work even better (if) given better conditions. = If she were given better conditions, she'd do the work even better. b —used to say what you want to have or would prefer to have ▪ “…give me liberty, or give me death!” [=I would rather die than live without liberty] —Patrick Henry, Speech (1775) ▪ The country's OK—but give me the city any day! [=I prefer the city]
25 [+ obj] informal —used in phrases like give a damn to say that you do not care at all about something ▪ He angrily told her that he didn't give a damn what she did.
2 [+ obj] : to put (something) into someone's hand ▪ He picked up the letter and gave [=handed] it to me. ▪ He gave me the letter. : to cause someone to hold or possess (something) for a specified reason ▪ He gave me a letter to mail for him. = He gave a letter to me to mail for him. ▪ He gave her his coat to hold.
3 [+ obj] a : to provide someone with (something wanted or needed) ▪ She has given me a lot of help/support/encouragement. [=she has helped/supported/encouraged me a lot] ▪ They gave me a job. [=they hired me] ▪ He gave me a head start. ▪ I'll give you a lift/ride to the station. [=I'll drive you to the station in my car] : to allow someone to have (something wanted or needed) ▪ I know I can do it if you'll just give me a chance. ▪ They gave her another opportunity. ▪ Her boss has given her a lot of responsibility/authority. ▪ They gave him the best room available. ▪ The law gives all citizens the right to vote. = The law gives the right to vote to all citizens. b : to allow someone to have or take (an amount of time) ▪ Just give me a few more minutes and I'll be ready. ▪ The doctor gave him two weeks to pay his bill.
4 [+ obj] a : to treat or regard someone or something with (a particular attitude, feeling, etc.) ▪ She gave her friend her complete confidence. = She gave her complete confidence to her friend. [=she trusted her friend completely] ▪ He gave the company his loyalty. [=he was loyal to the company] ▪ They've worked hard. You should give them some respect. [=you should respect them] b : to direct (something) toward someone ▪ She gave him an angry look. [=she looked at him angrily] ▪ He gave her a smile. [=he smiled at her]
5 [+ obj] a : to tell (information) to someone ▪ Just give me the facts. ▪ They weren't able to give us the information we needed. ▪ The witness was reluctant to give evidence. ▪ He gave his name as “John Smith.” [=he said his name was “John Smith”] ▪ The drawing gives [=shows] the dimensions of the room. ▪ The book gives [=provides] a brief history of the industry. b : to express or say (something) to someone ▪ You have no right to give me orders. ▪ They gave him careful instructions on how to proceed. ▪ Give them my regards. = Give my regards to them. ▪ His parents gave him a lecture about the importance of studying. ▪ The coach gave the team a pep talk. ▪ I give you my word [=I swear; I promise], I knew nothing about their plans. ▪ Just give it to me straight. [=just say what you are going to say to me in a direct way] ◊The informal phrase don't give me that is used in speech to show annoyance when someone tells you something that you do not believe or accept. ▪ “It's not my fault that we're late.” “Don't give me that! You were the one who said we didn't have to leave early!” c : to show (something) ▪ a young artist who has given evidence/signs of real talent ▪ She gave (us) no hint/indication that she was upset or worried. d : to offer (something) for consideration or acceptance ▪ He declined to give an opinion. ▪ Can you give an example? ▪ He gave no reason for his absence.
6 [+ obj] : to say that someone has or deserves (something) ▪ He gives the credit for his success to his wife. [=he credits his wife for his success]
7 [+ obj] a : to cause someone to have or experience (something, such as an emotion, a problem, etc.) ▪ My car has been giving [=causing] me a lot of trouble lately. ▪ I like Mexican food, but it gives me indigestion. ▪ a book that gives pleasure to the reader ▪ All that noise is giving me a headache. [=I'm getting a headache from all that noise] ▪ It gave me a shock to see how sick he is. ▪ Her encouragement gave me a lot of self-confidence. [=made me feel very self-confident] b : to cause someone to become affected by (something, such as an illness) ▪ His sister gave him the measles. [=he got/caught the measles from his sister] ▪ Hearing the joke gave him the giggles. [=hearing the joke made him giggle] c : to cause someone or something to have (a quality) ▪ His quiet manner gives him a mysterious air. ▪ The large windows give the room an open feeling. d : to cause something to be affected by (something) ▪ He argues that the tax cuts would give a considerable stimulus/boost to the economy.
8 [+ obj] : to cause someone to get or take (a medicine) ▪ The doctor gave the patient a pill. ▪ The doctor gave him an injection. ▪ The drug is usually given intravenously.
9 [+ obj] a : to present (a show, speech, etc.) in public ▪ give a concert/lecture/talk/speech/reading/performance b : to provide (something) as entertainment or as a social gathering ▪ give [=throw] a party ▪ give a formal dinner
10 [+ obj] : to do (an action) ▪ She gave the door a push. [=she pushed the door] ▪ He gave her a hug. [=he hugged her] ▪ He gave a cynical smile. [=he smiled cynically] ▪ She picked up the package and gave it a shake. [=she shook the package] ▪ The referee gave [=made] the signal to start the game. ▪ The ship gave a sudden lurch. [=the ship lurched suddenly]
11 [+ obj] a : to cause someone to experience or suffer (a form of punishment) ▪ His father gave the boy a whipping. ▪ The judge gave him life (imprisonment) for murder. b : to cause someone to undergo or do (something) ▪ The teacher gave the class a test.
12 ◊To give something thought/consideration (etc.) is to think about it. ▪ We've given your proposal a lot of thought and careful consideration. [=we've thought about your proposal a lot and considered it carefully]
13 ◊To give someone a call/ring/buzz/bell is to make a telephone call to someone. ▪ I'll give you a call later.
14 ◊If you try to do something, you give it a try or (informally) give it a go/shot/stab. ▪ I've never gone skiing before, but I'm willing to give it a try.
15 ◊If you would give anything or give your right hand/arm to do or to have something, you want to do or have it very much. ▪ I'd give anything to be able to sing like that!
16 [+ obj] : to make (something, such as your hand) available for someone ▪ She gave [=offered] her hand to him to shake/kiss. = She gave him her hand to shake/kiss. [=she held out her hand toward him so that he could shake/kiss it] ▪ She gave him her arm [=she linked her arm in his arm] and they walked together into the room. ◊When a woman gives her hand in marriage to a man, she marries him. This is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned expression.
17 [+ obj] a : pay ▪ I wouldn't give a penny for that old bike! ▪ If you have an extra ticket, I'll give you $20 for it. b : sell ▪ I'm willing to give you the ticket for $20.
18 [+ obj] : to say or judge that someone or something will last for (an amount of time) ▪ The doctor gave him only a few weeks to live. [=the doctor said that he would live for only a few weeks] ▪ Their marriage will never work. I give it/them six months—tops!
19 [+ obj] informal : to admit (something) to or about someone ▪ He made an effort, I'll give him that (much). [=I'll admit that he made an effort] ▪ I don't really like his movies, but he's a talented actor, I'll give you that. [=I admit that he is a talented actor]
20 [+ obj] : to have or produce (something) as a product, result, or effect ▪ medical procedures that give better results ▪ Cows give milk.
21 [+ obj] formal : to cause someone to believe or think (something) —followed by to + verb ▪ They gave [=led] me to understand that they'd be arriving later. ◊To give someone an idea/impression (etc.) is to cause someone to believe or think something. ▪ Whatever gave you the idea (that) he loved you?! [=whatever made you think that he loved you?] ▪ I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. [=I'm sorry if I misled you; I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression from me] ▪ I don't know what gave her the notion that she could treat people that way.
22 [no obj] a : to bend because of force, pressure, or strain ▪ The branch gave [=sagged] under his weight, but it didn't break. b : to break because of force, pressure, or strain ▪ The branch suddenly gave [=gave way] under his weight, and he fell to the ground.
23 [no obj] : to stop trying to resist or oppose something : to give in or submit to pressure ▪ Both sides refuse to give [=refuse to accept or agree to the demands of the other side] in this dispute. ▪ For the strike to be settled, something has (got) to give! [=one side or the other has to give in]
24 [+ obj] a —used to indicate a possible or assumed state or condition ▪ Give him his books and his music and he's happy. [=he is happy if he has his books and his music] ▪ (If) Given better conditions, she'd do the work even better. = She'd do the work even better (if) given better conditions. = If she were given better conditions, she'd do the work even better. b —used to say what you want to have or would prefer to have ▪ “…give me liberty, or give me death!” [=I would rather die than live without liberty] —Patrick Henry, Speech (1775) ▪ The country's OK—but give me the city any day! [=I prefer the city]
25 [+ obj] informal —used in phrases like give a damn to say that you do not care at all about something ▪ He angrily told her that he didn't give a damn what she did.
give as good as you get
informal : to be as forceful in fighting or arguing against others as they are in fighting or arguing against you ▪ She can give as good as she gets in an argument with just about anybody.
give away [phrasal verb]
1 give (something) away or give away (something) a : to make a present of (something) ▪ For a limited time only our store is giving away [=giving] a free can of soda to each and every one of our customers! ▪ Our prices are so cheap we're practically giving away everything in our store! b : to lose (something) in a careless way ▪ He virtually gave the election away when he made a racist remark. ▪ The pitcher gave the game away by walking four batters in a row. c : to allow (something hidden or secret) to become known ▪ The way she looked at him gave away her real feelings for him. ▪ Please don't give away [=reveal] how the trick is done. —see also giveaway, giveaway price give the game away at 1game
2 give (someone) away also give away (someone) a : to bring (the bride) to the groom at a wedding ▪ Traditionally, it's the father of the bride who gives his daughter away at the wedding. b : to reveal the truth about (someone) ▪ His fellow conspirators gave him away to the police. [=they betrayed him to the police] ▪ His accent gave him away as a northerner. [=his accent showed that he was a northerner]
2 give (someone) away also give away (someone) a : to bring (the bride) to the groom at a wedding ▪ Traditionally, it's the father of the bride who gives his daughter away at the wedding. b : to reveal the truth about (someone) ▪ His fellow conspirators gave him away to the police. [=they betrayed him to the police] ▪ His accent gave him away as a northerner. [=his accent showed that he was a northerner]
give back [phrasal verb]
give (something) back or give back (something) : to cause someone to have (something) again : to return or restore (something) to someone ▪ He gave back the money he found to the person who'd lost it. ▪ Her encouragement helped to give me back my self-confidence. [=her encouragement helped me to get my self-confidence back] ▪ They agreed to give him his old job back. —see also giveback
give birth —see birth
give chase —see 1chase
give ground —see 1ground
give in [phrasal verb]
1 : to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing ▪ The strike has been going on for weeks, and neither side seems willing to give in. —often + to ▪ He refused to give in to their demands. [=he refused to do what they demanded that he do]
2 give (something) in or give in (something) Brit : to give (something) to a person who has authority to review or accept it ▪ give in [=(US) hand in] an assignment
2 give (something) in or give in (something) Brit : to give (something) to a person who has authority to review or accept it ▪ give in [=(US) hand in] an assignment
give it a rest, give (something) a rest —see 2rest
give me a break, give (someone) a break —see 2break
give of [phrasal verb]
give of yourself or give of your time formal : to use your time and effort to help others ▪ They freely gave of their time when their help was needed.
give off [phrasal verb]
give off (something) : to send (light, energy, etc.) out from a source ▪ The telescope can detect light given off [=emitted] by distant galaxies. ▪ The garbage gave off an unpleasant smell. ▪ The chimneys gave off thick, black smoke.
give on to also give onto [phrasal verb]
give on to (something) also give onto (something) Brit : to provide a view of or a passage to (something) ▪ The door gives directly on to the garden. ▪ The rooms give onto a hall.
give or take
—used to indicate that the stated amount is approximate and might be increased or decreased by a specified amount ▪ He ran a mile, give or take a few yards. ▪ The movie lasted three hours, give or take a few minutes either way. ▪ (informal) He ran a mile, give or take. [=he ran about a mile]
give out [phrasal verb]
1 : to stop working ▪ The plane's engine sputtered and gave out, forcing an emergency landing. ▪ His voice gave out. [=he was unable to talk] ▪ His courage finally gave out. [=he lost his courage]
2 : to become used up ▪ Our supply of fuel had almost given out [=run out] entirely.
3 give out (something) : to produce (noise, light, etc.) ▪ The brakes gave out a loud squeal. ▪ The woodstove gives out a lot of heat.
4 give (something) out or give out (something) : to give (something) to many people : to hand out (something) ▪ They gave out copies of the newsletter. ▪ He's always giving out unwanted advice.
2 : to become used up ▪ Our supply of fuel had almost given out [=run out] entirely.
3 give out (something) : to produce (noise, light, etc.) ▪ The brakes gave out a loud squeal. ▪ The woodstove gives out a lot of heat.
4 give (something) out or give out (something) : to give (something) to many people : to hand out (something) ▪ They gave out copies of the newsletter. ▪ He's always giving out unwanted advice.
give over
[phrasal verb] Brit informal : to stop doing something that is annoying or unpleasant ▪ Oh, give over! I'm tired of your complaints! —often + -ing verb ▪ They eventually gave over bothering me [=stopped bothering me] and let me alone.
give over to [phrasal verb]
give (something) over to (someone) 1 : to give (something) to (someone) to have, use, do, etc. ▪ She has given most of her work over to her assistant.
2 give (yourself) over to (something) : to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something) ▪ He gave himself over to despair. [=he was overcome by despair] ▪ She gave herself over completely to her work. [=she devoted all of her attention and energy to her work]
3 ◊Something that is given over to a specified purpose is used for that purpose. ▪ One of the upstairs rooms is given over to storage. ▪ Much of her time recently has been given over to researching her family history.
2 give (yourself) over to (something) : to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something) ▪ He gave himself over to despair. [=he was overcome by despair] ▪ She gave herself over completely to her work. [=she devoted all of her attention and energy to her work]
3 ◊Something that is given over to a specified purpose is used for that purpose. ▪ One of the upstairs rooms is given over to storage. ▪ Much of her time recently has been given over to researching her family history.
give place to —see 1place
give rise to —see 2rise
give up [phrasal verb]
1 : to stop an activity or effort : to admit that you cannot do something and stop trying : quit ▪ He vowed that he would never give up. ▪ I give up! I don't know what more I can do to please my girlfriend! ▪ “How many prime numbers are there between 1 and 100? Well, do you give up?” “OK, I give up!”
2 give (something) up or give up (something) a : to stop having, doing, or using (something) ▪ He was forced to give up his job. ▪ She refused to give up trying. ▪ My doctor urged me to give up smoking/cigarettes. ▪ Rescuers have not yet given up hope that more survivors will be found. ▪ He gave up his seat to an elderly woman. [=he got out of his seat so that an elderly woman could sit there] b : to stop trying to do (something) ▪ We did our best to repair the engine, but in the end we had to give it up as impossible. c sports : to allow (a score, a hit, etc.) by an opposing team or player ▪ The defense gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter. ▪ The pitcher didn't give up a hit till the ninth inning.
3 give (yourself) up : to surrender (yourself) as a prisoner ▪ The fugitive eventually gave himself up (to the police/authorities).
4 give (someone) up a : to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone) because it seems hopeless ▪ The teacher gave him up as a hopeless case. ▪ The doctors gave him up for dead. [=the doctors said that he was certain to die] b : to stop having hope of seeing (someone) ▪ We'd given you up (for lost) hours ago!
5 give (yourself) up to (something) : to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something) ▪ He gave himself up to despair. ▪ She gave herself up completely to her work.
6 give up on (someone) a : to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone) ▪ He has gotten in trouble many times, but his parents have never given up on him. ▪ Please don't give up on me. I promise I'll do better. b : to stop having hope of seeing (someone) ▪ We'd given up on you hours ago!
7 give up on (something) : to stop trying to do or achieve (something) ▪ They have given up on their plan to build a new factory. ▪ She hasn't given up on trying to convince her husband to buy a new car.
2 give (something) up or give up (something) a : to stop having, doing, or using (something) ▪ He was forced to give up his job. ▪ She refused to give up trying. ▪ My doctor urged me to give up smoking/cigarettes. ▪ Rescuers have not yet given up hope that more survivors will be found. ▪ He gave up his seat to an elderly woman. [=he got out of his seat so that an elderly woman could sit there] b : to stop trying to do (something) ▪ We did our best to repair the engine, but in the end we had to give it up as impossible. c sports : to allow (a score, a hit, etc.) by an opposing team or player ▪ The defense gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter. ▪ The pitcher didn't give up a hit till the ninth inning.
3 give (yourself) up : to surrender (yourself) as a prisoner ▪ The fugitive eventually gave himself up (to the police/authorities).
4 give (someone) up a : to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone) because it seems hopeless ▪ The teacher gave him up as a hopeless case. ▪ The doctors gave him up for dead. [=the doctors said that he was certain to die] b : to stop having hope of seeing (someone) ▪ We'd given you up (for lost) hours ago!
5 give (yourself) up to (something) : to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something) ▪ He gave himself up to despair. ▪ She gave herself up completely to her work.
6 give up on (someone) a : to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone) ▪ He has gotten in trouble many times, but his parents have never given up on him. ▪ Please don't give up on me. I promise I'll do better. b : to stop having hope of seeing (someone) ▪ We'd given up on you hours ago!
7 give up on (something) : to stop trying to do or achieve (something) ▪ They have given up on their plan to build a new factory. ▪ She hasn't given up on trying to convince her husband to buy a new car.
give up the ghost —see 1ghost
give way —see 1way
What gives?
informal —used to ask the reason for something ▪ You've been acting weird all week. What gives? [=why are you acting weird?]