give up

The phrase "give up" is a versatile phrasal verb used in various contexts, including surrender, cessation of effort, and relinquishment.

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Definition

A2General

(common)To stop making an effort or trying to achieve something.

Example

After hours of trying, she decided to give up on solving the puzzle.
He gave up trying to fix the old car.

B1General

(common)To surrender or relinquish possession or control of something.

Example

The army gave up the fort after a long siege.
He gave up his seat to the elderly woman.

B1Emotional

(common)To abandon hope or expectation.

Example

She gave up all hope of recovering from the illness.
He felt like giving up when his business failed.

B1Competition

(common)To admit defeat or accept failure.

Example

The team gave up after losing the championship game.
He gave up after realizing he couldn't win the race.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "give up":

give it up give up the ghost give in give over call it quits throw up one's hands let go pass up wave the white flag give out hang up give ground forget about give away forget it yield up fight a losing battle ease up abandon ship drop out move on