Give up Meaning and Definition
Give up
Pronunciation
/ˈgɪv ʌp/
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Definition
To surrender or relinquish something, especially in recognition of defeat or failure; to abandon or give away something.
Examples
- She couldn’t give up her passion for art, no matter how difficult it got.
- He finally gave up his dream of becoming a professional athlete.
Synonyms
- Admit defeat
- Quit
- Surrender
- Abandon
Etymology
The word “give up” has its roots in Old English, “gyfan” meaning “to give” and “up” meaning “away” or “back”.
Usage Notes
Use “give up” in contexts where someone is surrendering or relinquishing something, such as a goal, a idea, or a possession.
Cultural References
The phrase “give up” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in songs like “Give Up” by Death Cab for Cutie and in episodes of the TV show “The Office”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Give up the ghost
- Give up the fight
Related Words or Phrases
- Surrender
- Quit
- Abandon
- Relinquish
Collocations
- Give up the fight
- Give up the game
- Give up the ship
Frequency of Use
The phrase “give up” is a common expression in modern language, often used in everyday conversation and writing.
Common Misspellings
- Giveap
- Giveuup