Help center

Phrasal verbs "give in to" vs "give up"

Differences between give in to and give up

Give in to means to surrender or yield to someone or something, often against one's will or better judgment. On the other hand, give up means to stop trying or doing something, usually because it seems too difficult or impossible.

Meanings and Definitions: give in to vs give up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Give in to

  • 1Agree to something you don't like.

    The government says it will not GIVE IN TO terrorists.

  • 2Allow a feeling or desire to control you.

    Eventually, I GAVE IN TO my anger and screamed at them.

Give up

  • 1Stop doing something that has been a habit.

    I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and coffee to lose weight.

  • 2Stop being friendly, end relationships.

    She GAVE UP all her school friends when she went to university.

  • 3Stop doing something.

    I have GIVEN UP trying to help them.

  • 4Surrender, stop trying.

    I can't think of the answer; I GIVE UP.

  • 5Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to something.

    I GAVE UP all my free time to the project.

  • 6Allow someone to sit in your chair, take your place, etc.

    I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant woman.

  • 7Allow or give away a run while pitching ( baseball ).

    He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in 14 innings.

Usage Examples: give in to, give up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

give in to

Example

I don't want to give in to his demands.

Example

She always gives in to her cravings for sweets.

give up

Example

I decided to give up eating junk food.

Example

She gives up too easily when things get tough.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give in to

yield to

To surrender or submit to someone or something, often against one's will or better judgment.

Example

Despite her initial resistance, she eventually yielded to her friend's request to go out.

succumb to

To give in or yield to something, especially a temptation or pressure.

Example

He tried to resist the urge to eat the cake, but eventually succumbed to its delicious aroma.

bow to

To submit or yield to someone or something, often out of respect or deference.

Example

The defeated general had no choice but to bow to the victorious army's demands.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give up

abandon hope

To lose faith or confidence in achieving something and stop trying.

Example

After failing the exam twice, she abandoned hope of becoming a doctor and pursued a different career path.

throw in the towel

To give up or quit, especially after a long struggle or effort.

Example

Despite his best efforts, he eventually threw in the towel and admitted defeat.

call it quits

To decide to stop doing something, especially a project or activity, usually because it's not worth the effort or time.

Example

After working on the project for months without making progress, they decided to call it quits and move on to something else.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “in to”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in give in to vs give up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: give in to or give up?

Both give in to and give up are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, give up is more frequently used than give in to. This is because give up can be used in a wider range of situations, while give in to is more specific to situations where someone is yielding to pressure or temptation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give in to and give up

Both give in to and give up are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, 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 in to and give up

The tone of give in to and give up can differ based on context. Give in to often carries a negative connotation of weakness or defeat, while give up can have a more neutral or even positive connotation of letting go or moving on.

give in to & give up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Give in to

Synonyms

  • surrender to
  • yield to
  • submit to
  • capitulate to
  • concede to
  • bow to
  • accede to
  • comply with
  • cave in to
  • knuckle under to

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!