phrasal verb

give up

giv UP

Give up (phrasal verb) means to stop trying to do something because it has become too hard or seems hopeless. Example: “Don't give up now, you are two chapters from the end.”

phrasal verb

To stop trying to do something because it has become too hard or seems hopeless.

"Don't give up now, you are two chapters from the end."

"After six months of applications she gave up and went back to freelancing."

To stop doing or having something, especially a habit or pleasure.

"He gave up smoking the day his daughter was born."

"I have given up caffeine for the month."

To hand something over, or to surrender yourself, to someone else.

"She gave up her seat to an older passenger."

"The suspect gave himself up at the police station."

How to use give up

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStop trying, or stop doing something for good.

When to use it

Everyday English, suitable in all but the most formal writing, where 'abandon' or 'relinquish' may fit better.

Memory tip

It is separable with an object noun ('give up chocolate' or 'give chocolate up'), but a pronoun must go in the middle: 'give it up', never 'give up it'.

Easily confused with

give in give out give away

Common pairings

give up hope give up smoking never give up give yourself up give up on someone

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Can you complete this real example?

Don't _____ now, you are two chapters from the end.

Synonyms

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quit surrender admit defeat throw in the towel renounce abstain from relinquish hand over cede

Antonyms

persevere persist carry on

Related words

give stop pay leave return fall remain transfer

Rhymes for give up

makeup lineup

See all rhymes for give up →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between give up and give in?

Give up means to stop trying altogether. Give in means to stop resisting someone else's pressure and let them have their way. You give up on a puzzle; you give in to a child who has been begging for sweets.

What is the difference between 'give up' and 'give up on'?

Give up takes the activity as its object: 'she gave up running'. Give up on takes the person or the hope you are abandoning: 'she gave up on running', meaning she lost faith in it, or 'don't give up on me'.

Is 'give up' formal enough for an essay?

It is fine in most writing, but for academic prose consider abandon, relinquish, discontinue or renounce, which are more formal and often more precise.

What is the meaning of give up?

"give up" (phrasal verb) means to stop trying to do something because it has become too hard or seems hopeless.

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