1
general::
give onto sth
slightly formal
to open in the direction of something
• The patio doors give onto a small courtyard., give up sth
1. to stop owning and using something
• They were forced to give up their home because they couldn't pay the mortgage., give sth back
[ M ]
to return something to the person who gave it to you
• Has she given you those books back yet?, give yourself over/up to sth
[ R ]
to spend all your time and energy doing or feeling something
• After her death he gave himself over to grief., give sb away
MARRIAGE
2. [ M ] formal in a marriage ceremony, to formally bring a woman who is getting married to the front of the church so that she is standing at the side of her future husband, and then to give permission for her to marry
• The bride was given away by her father., give sth over to sth/sb
[ M ]
to give another person the use of something, or the responsibility for something or someone
• We've given the attic over to the children., give in
AGREE
1. to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time
• He nagged me so much for a new bike that eventually I gave in.
• The government cannot be seen to give in to terrorists' demands., give in
ADMIT DEFEAT
2. to accept that you have been defeated and agree to stop competing or fighting
• You'll never guess the answer - do you give in?
• She wouldn't give in until she received a full apology., give sb away
SHOW
1. to show someone's secret feelings
• She thinks no one knows how much she likes him, but her face when I said he'd be there really gave her away!, give up
to stop trying to guess
• You'll never guess the answer - do you give up?
• I give up - how many were there?, give sth away
[ M ] FREE
1. to give something to someone without asking for payment
• The shop is giving away a sample pack to every customer.
• Nobody wants this type of heater anymore - I can't even give it away!, give up (sth)
to stop doing something before you have finished it, usually because it is too difficult
• [ + -ing verb] : I've given up trying to help her., give sth up
[ M ]
to stop doing a regular activity or job
• [ + -ing verb ]: He's given up driving since his illness.
• We're going to give up our sports club membership after this year., give sb up
END FRIENDSHIP
1. [ M ] to stop having a friendship with someone
• She seems to have given up all her old friends., give yourself up
[ R ]
to allow the police or an enemy to take you as a prisoner
• The gunman gave himself up to the police., give sth off
to produce heat, light, a smell or a gas
• That tiny radiator doesn't give off much heat., give sth away
[ M ] SECRET
2. to tell people something secret, often without intending to
• The party was meant to be a surprise, but Sharon gave it away.
• I won't give the game (= the information or plan) away., give sth in
[ M ] UK
to give a piece of written work or a document to someone for them to read, judge or deal with
• Have you given that essay in yet?, give sb up
NOT EXPECT
2. ( also give up on sb ) to stop expecting that someone will arrive
• I've been waiting half-an-hour - I'd almost given you up., give out
If a machine or part of your body gives out, it stops working
• At the end of the race his legs gave out and he collapsed on the ground., give (sth) up
[ M ]
If you give up a habit, such as smoking, or something such as alcohol, you stop doing it or using it
• [ + -ing verb ]: I gave up smoking two years ago.
• Don't offer him a cigarette, he's trying to give up.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with GIVE, Also see HARD TIME (GIVE SOMEONE A); INDIAN GIVER; NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK; NOT CARE (GIVE) A RAP; NOT GIVE SOMEONE THE TIME OF DAY; WHAT'S COOKING (GIVES). Also see under idioms beginning with GET and HAVE.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
give
to let someone have something, without expecting to be paid for it:
• He was always giving me gifts. • They gave a free drink to all their customers.
donate
to give money to an organization that helps people or protects something, or to give your blood or part of your body to save someone’s life:
• The company donates 1 per cent of its profits to charity. • 70% of people wanted to donate their organs after death.
award
to officially give money or a prize to someone:
• She was awarded a million dollars in damages. • Hollywood awarded him an Oscar for his performance.
present
to formally or officially give something to someone by putting it in their hands, especially at a formal ceremony:
• They presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
leave
( also bequeath formal ) to officially arrange for someone to have something that you own after your death:
• He left most of his property to his wife.
lavish somebody with something/lavish something on somebody
formal to give someone a lot of something, especially praise, attention, or gifts:
• After his team won, the press lavished him with praise.
confer
formal to give someone an honour, a university degree, or the right or power to do something:
• the powers conferred on him by Parliament • the highest honor that her country could confer on her
bestow
formal to give someone something to show how much they are respected, for example an honour, a title, or a gift – a very formal use:
• He was also bestowed the title of ‘Cultural Ambassador of Grenada’.
to give something to a group of people
hand something out/give something out
to give something to each of the people in a group:
• The teacher handed out the test papers. • I’m going to give out some forms for you to fill in.
distribute
to give things to a large number of people, especially in the streets:
• Anti-war protesters were distributing leaflets.
share
( also share something out British English ) to divide something into equal parts and give a part to each person:
• They shared the profits among the staff.
Longman-Thesaurus
4
general::
verb
make a present of:
We will give them flowers.
verb
exchange:
We'll give five dollars for the book.
verb
place in my hands:
Give me your book.
verb
convey:
Give him my best wishes.
verb
bestow:
We shall give him the authority.
verb
produce:
This cow will give 3 gallons of milk.
verb
cause to have:
She gave him measles.
verb
provide:
I will give you my address.
verb
inflict:
We gave her a spanking.
verb
uttered:
He gave a sigh.
verb
administer:
I will give him his medicine.
verb
ascribe:
We will give him the blame.
verb
cause to happen:
We will give a dinner party.
verb
offer:
We will give a toast.
verb
quit:
He will not give up.
Simple Definitions