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Phrasal verbs "give up" vs "keep up"

Differences between give up and keep up

Give up means to stop doing something, especially when it's difficult or you don't want to do it anymore. Keep up means to continue doing something at the same level or pace, especially when it's challenging.

Meanings and Definitions: give up vs keep up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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.

Keep up

  • 1Not let someone go to bed.

    My neighbours KEPT me UP till after 4 am with their loud music last night.

  • 2Maintain a continuous action, persist.

    First I phoned you and left a message that you should phone me; then you phoned and I was out, so you left a message; then...! How long can we KEEP this UP without ever speaking to each other directly?

Usage Examples: give up, keep up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

give up

Example

I decided to give up eating junk food.

Example

She gives up too easily when things get tough.

keep up

Example

She tries to keep up with the latest fashion trends.

Example

He keeps up with the news by reading the newspaper every day.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give up

throw in the towel

To quit or give up on something, especially after a long struggle or challenge.

Example

After months of trying to fix the old car, he finally threw in the towel and decided to buy a new one.

call it quits

To stop doing something, especially when it's not worth the effort or time anymore.

Example

They decided to call it quits on the project since they couldn't agree on the direction to take.

give something a rest

To take a break from doing something, especially when it's tiring or frustrating.

Example

She decided to give her eyes a rest after hours of staring at the computer screen.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Keep up

maintain the pace

To continue doing something at the same level or speed, especially when it's challenging or demanding.

Example

He had to maintain the pace of the marathon to finish it within the time limit.

stay on top of

To remain informed or knowledgeable about something, especially when it's changing or evolving.

Example

She had to stay on top of the latest trends in the fashion industry to succeed in her job.

keep going

To continue doing something, especially when it's difficult or tiring.

Example

Despite the setbacks, she decided to keep going and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: give up or keep up?

In daily conversation, people use keep up more often than give up. This is because keep up is used for more positive situations such as maintaining a good performance or staying motivated. Give up is used less frequently and usually implies a negative connotation of quitting or surrendering. So, while both phrases are used, keep up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give up and keep up

Give up and keep up 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 up and keep up

The tone of give up and keep up can differ based on context. Give up often carries a disappointed or frustrated tone when related to quitting or abandoning something, while keep up typically has an encouraging and determined tone, especially when referring to maintaining a certain level of performance or effort.

give up & keep up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Keep up

Synonyms

Antonyms

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