What does the phrasal verb “give up” mean?

What are the definitions of “give up”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Stop doing something that has been a habit.

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

• 2. Stop being friendly, end relationships.

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

• 3. Stop doing something.

  I have GIVEN UP trying to help them.

• 4. Surrender, stop trying.

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

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

  I GAVE UP all my free time to the project.

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

  I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant woman.

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

  He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in 14 innings.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “give up”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb give up is to stop doing something that you have been doing for a long time. It often refers to quitting a habit or activity. For example, you might give up smoking, or give up playing a sport that you no longer enjoy.

What are the different verb forms of “give up”?

Root Verb	give up
Third Person Singular Present	gives up
Present Participle	giving up
Simple Past	gave up
Past Participle	given up

Example

I decided to give up eating junk food.

Example

She gives up too easily when things get tough.

Example

He is giving up his seat for the elderly man.

Example

They gave up their search after several hours.

Example

I have given up trying to convince him.

What kind of phrasal verb is “give up”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“give up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

She gave up her seat to an elderly man.

Example

He gave up smoking for his health.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“give up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

She gave up her seat to an elderly man.

Example

He gave up smoking for his health.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “give up”?

Give up on someone/something

Stop believing in someone's potential or stop expecting a positive outcome from a situation.

Example

After many failed attempts, he gave up on trying to fix the old car.

Give oneself up

Surrender oneself, often to authorities.

Example

The fugitive gave himself up to the police.

Give up the ghost

To stop working or functioning; to die.

Example

After many years of service, my old car finally gave up the ghost.

Good things to know

Does “give up” have an informal or formal tone?

Give up is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal writing, synonyms such as 'quit', 'cease', or 'abandon' might be preferred.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “give up”?

Synonyms

• quit
• stop
• abandon
• cease
• surrender
• resign
• relinquish
• forfeit
• desist
• yield

Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• maintain
• keep
• pursue
• uphold
• retain
• sustain
• persevere
• carry on