Differences between give away and give over to
Give away means to give something as a gift or for free, while give over to means to transfer control or possession of something to someone else.
Meanings and Definitions: give away vs give over to
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Give away
- 1Entrust your daughter to her husband through the marriage ceremony.
He GAVE his daughter AWAY and told the groom to look after her.
- 2Tell a secret, often unintentionally.
She didn't GIVE anything AWAY about the party so it came as a complete surprise to me.
- 3Distribute something for free.
In this issue of the magazine, they are giving away a free DVD.
- 4Give without asking for or expecting payment.
He decided to GIVE his new album AWAY in a magazine.
- 5Give an advantage to your opponent in a sport by making a mistake, playing badly, etc.
They GAVE AWAY two goals in the first half.
- 6Give an unwanted baby to people to bring up.
She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as she couldn't afford to bring it up.
- 7Betray, report to authorities.
The gang GAVE him AWAY to the police.
- 8Give a weight advantage to an opponent in boxing.
He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds to the challenger.
Give over to
- 1Dedicate, devote.
He GAVE himself OVER TO finding his son.
- 2Transfer responsibility.
After her death, they GAVE control of the estate OVER TO her niece.
Usage Examples: give away, give over to in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
give away
Example
The radio station is giving away concert tickets to the first caller.
Example
She gives away her old clothes to charity.
give over to
Example
She decided to give over to her passion for painting and quit her job.
Example
He gives over to his studies every evening.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give away
To give something to a charity or organization for a good cause.
Example
She decided to donate her old clothes to a local shelter.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give over to
To give up control or power over something or someone.
Example
The CEO decided to relinquish control of the company to his son.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “give”
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
Phrasal Verbs with “over to”
Differences in give away vs give over to: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: give away or give over to?
In daily conversation, people use give away more often than give over to. This is because give away is used for more common situations such as giving away clothes or books. Give over to is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about transferring control or possession of something. So, while both phrases are used, give away is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give away and give over to
Give away and give over to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of give away and give over to
The tone of give away and give over to can differ based on context. Give away often carries a generous or charitable tone when related to giving something as a gift or for free, while give over to typically has a serious or formal tone, especially when referring to transferring control or possession of something.
