Differences between give away and stow away
Give away means to give something as a gift or to donate it to someone in need, while stow away means to hide or store something in a secret or safe place.
Meanings and Definitions: give away vs stow away
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.
Stow away
- 1Hide in a vehicle to travel without people knowing.
She STOWED AWAY on the plane but was caught when it landed.
- 2Store something in a safe place.
We STOWED it AWAY in the garage to keep it dry.
Usage Examples: give away, stow away 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.
stow away
Example
He decided to stow away on the cargo ship to reach the other side of the ocean.
Example
She stows away in the truck to avoid being caught by the police.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give away
To give something to a charity or organization for a good cause.
Example
She decided to donate all her old clothes to the local shelter.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stow away
To conceal or keep something out of sight.
Example
She hid the birthday present in the closet so her sister wouldn't find it.
To keep something in a specific place for future use or safekeeping.
Example
He decided to store his winter clothes in the attic until next season.
To keep something hidden or secret from others.
Example
She concealed the evidence of the crime to protect her friend from getting in trouble.
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 stow away: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: give away or stow away?
In daily conversation, people use give away more often than stow away. This is because give away is used for more common situations such as giving gifts or donating items. Stow away is not used as much, and when it is, it's usually in specific contexts such as hiding something from someone or storing something safely.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give away and stow away
Give away and stow away are both 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 stow away
The tone of give away and stow away can differ based on context. Give away often carries a generous or charitable tone when related to giving something to someone else, while stow away typically has a secretive or cautious tone, especially when referring to hiding something from others.
