What are the definitions of “give up to”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Denounce, report to authorities.
He GAVE his accomplices UP TO the police.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “give up to”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb give up to is to denounce or report someone to the authorities. This means that you tell the police or other authorities about someone's illegal activities.
What are the different verb forms of “give up to”?
| Root Verb | give up to |
| Third Person Singular Present | gives up to |
| Present Participle | giving up to |
| Simple Past | gave up to |
| Past Participle | given up to |
Example
He decided to give his friend up to the police.
Example
She gives the thief up to the authorities.
Example
He is giving the criminal up to the police.
Example
Yesterday, they gave the suspect up to the police.
Example
The criminal was given up to the authorities.
What kind of phrasal verb is “give up to”?
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 to” 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
He gave his friend up to the police.
Example
She gave the thief up to the authorities.
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 to” 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
He gave his friend up to the police.
Example
She gave the thief up to the authorities.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “give up to”?
Good things to know
Does “give up to” have an informal or formal tone?
Give up to is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the context in which it is used can affect its formality. For example, when used in legal or official contexts, such as giving someone up to the police, it can have a more formal tone.
