Differences between give away and throw away
Give away means to give something to someone else for free, while throw away means to dispose of something by putting it in the trash or throwing it out.
Meanings and Definitions: give away vs throw 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.
Throw away
- 1Discard something when no longer needed.
I THREW the alarm clock AWAY because it had stopped working.
Usage Examples: give away, throw 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.
throw away
Example
Please throw away the old newspapers.
Example
She throws away the spoiled food from the fridge.
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 the local shelter.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Throw away
To get rid of something by throwing it away or putting it in the trash.
Example
He decided to discard the old magazines that were cluttering his room.
toss out
To throw something away or get rid of it.
Example
She decided to toss out the expired food from the fridge.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “give”
Phrasal Verbs with “throw”
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
- slip away
- salt away
- take away
- clear away
- spaff away
Differences in give away vs throw away: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: give away or throw away?
In daily conversation, people use throw away more often than give away. This is because throw away is used for more routine tasks such as cleaning and organizing. Give away is not used as much, but it's still a common phrase used when donating items or giving things to friends or family. So, while both phrases are used, throw away is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give away and throw away
Give away and throw away 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 throw away
The tone of give away and throw away can differ based on context. Give away often carries a generous or charitable tone when related to donating or giving things to others, while throw away typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to getting rid of unwanted items.
