Differences between give away and give way
Give away means to give something for free or to reveal a secret, while give way means to yield or collapse under pressure.
Meanings and Definitions: give away vs give way
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 way
- 1Stop to allow vehicles to pass.
You must GIVE WAY at this junction.
- 2Collapse, break.
The dam GAVE WAY when the floods rose.
Usage Examples: give away, give way 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 way
Example
You must give way to pedestrians at the crosswalk.
Example
He always gives way to the elderly on the bus.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give away
To give something to a person or organization without expecting anything in return.
Example
She decided to donate her old clothes to the local shelter instead of throwing them away.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give way
To surrender or give up something under pressure or force.
Example
The driver had to yield to the ambulance and move to the side of the road.
To fall down or break apart suddenly due to weakness or pressure.
Example
The old building collapsed after the earthquake, causing extensive damage.
To break into small pieces or disintegrate due to pressure or decay.
Example
The cookie crumbled in her hand as she took a bite, leaving crumbs all over her shirt.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “give”
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
Differences in give away vs give way: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: give away or give way?
In daily conversation, people use give away more often than give way. This is because give away is used for more daily tasks and routines such as giving away clothes or books. Give way is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about yielding or collapsing under pressure. So, while both phrases are used, give away is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give away and give way
Give away and give way 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 way
The tone of give away and give way can differ based on context. Give away often carries a generous or secretive tone when related to giving or revealing something, while give way typically has a defeated or vulnerable tone, especially when referring to physical objects or structures.
