student asking question

What does “give up” mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Give up" means to make a sacrifice and forfeit something or someone for something else. Charlie says that he wouldn't give up his family. He means that he would not abandon his family in order to live with Willy Wonka at his chocolate factory. Ex: In order to study abroad, you would have to give up your friends and family for a few years. "Give up" also means to stop trying or to accept failure; admit defeat. Ex: Give up already! You will never solve that problem.

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