“Give up” is a phrasal verb with several meanings and uses in both casual and formal contexts. It can be used in various situations, from the simple act of quitting to the surrender of a position or the release of an object. This page explores the different uses of “give up,” providing synonym lists, example sentences, related words, and more.
What Does “Give Up” Mean?
To “give up” generally means to stop trying or to surrender something. This can refer to both physical and metaphorical actions. The phrase is commonly used when someone admits defeat or abandons an effort or pursuit.
Common Meanings of “Give Up”:
- To quit or stop trying: To cease making an effort.
- To surrender or relinquish: To give something over to someone else.
- To abandon or forfeit: To leave something behind or stop doing something.
- To sacrifice: To choose to stop doing something for a larger goal or cause.
Synonyms for “Give Up”
The following are strong, moderate, and weak synonyms for “give up,” depending on the context.
Strong Matches
- Quit: To stop doing something, often abruptly or without finishing.
- Surrender: To cease resisting, often used in the context of defeat.
- Abandon: To leave behind or stop supporting something or someone.
- Relinquish: To voluntarily give up possession or control of something.
- Resign: To accept defeat or give up a role or responsibility.
Strongest Matches
- Forfeit: To lose or give up something as a penalty for a mistake or infringement.
- Cede: To yield or surrender something, particularly in a formal context.
- Yield: To give way or surrender, often under pressure or in the face of superior force.
Weak Matches
- Drop: To let go of something, often temporarily or without permanent consequence.
- Desist: To stop doing something, usually after being asked to or as a result of external pressure.
Example Sentences for “Give Up”
- After hours of trying to solve the puzzle, she finally gave up.
- The soldier was forced to give up his weapon when the enemy captured his position.
- He had been struggling with the project for weeks and decided to give up on it entirely.
- I won’t give up on you; we’ll find a way through this.
- After multiple failures, she didn’t give up; instead, she learned from each mistake.
Contextual Usage of “Give Up”
- Personal Efforts:
“I’ve been trying to get into shape for months, but it’s been hard to stay motivated. I think I’m going to give up on my gym routine.”
In this sentence, “give up” expresses a sense of abandoning personal effort. - Surrendering to Circumstances:
“Faced with overwhelming evidence, the defendant had no choice but to give up his defense.”
Here, “give up” is used in a legal or formal sense of surrendering a position. - Compromise or Sacrifice:
“To succeed in her career, she had to give up spending as much time with her family.”
This example uses “give up” in the context of making a sacrifice for greater goals.
Related Words to “Give Up”
- Persistence: The act of continuing with something despite challenges.
- Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, often linked with the refusal to “give up.”
- Failure: The opposite of success, often tied to a decision to quit or give up.
- Determination: The resolve to continue trying despite obstacles.
- Tenacity: A quality of sticking with something even when it’s tough, the opposite of giving up.
Additional Information on “Give Up”
While “give up” often has a negative connotation, implying failure or surrender, it can also indicate a wise choice in certain situations, such as when pursuing something that no longer serves your interests or well-being. “Giving up” doesn’t always mean defeat; sometimes it’s a form of self-care or a necessary step toward new goals.
Common Phrases with “Give Up”
- Give up on: Used to indicate losing hope in someone or something.
“She gave up on her dreams of becoming a doctor after years of struggle.” - Give up to: Refers to surrendering or yielding something to someone else.
“He had to give up his leadership position to the younger members of the team.” - Give up hope: To stop believing that something will happen.
“After the long wait, they gave up hope of finding the missing child.” - Give up the ghost: A colloquial way of saying something has failed completely, often used for machines.
“The old car finally gave up the ghost after 20 years of service.”
Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended for general informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date details, meanings, and synonyms, the nuances of “give up” may vary depending on regional dialects, contexts, and usage. Always consider the context and your audience when choosing the appropriate synonym or phrasing.
