give away
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle away
Meanings
Give something free of charge to someone
Why “away”? A broom sweeps aside. Unwanted items are pushed out of the scene.
“They gave away free samples.”
“The bakery gave away old bread at closing.”
“They gave away most of their books.”
Reveal a secret, often unintentionally
“His face gave him away.”
“Her nervous laugh gave her away.”
“Please do not give the ending away before I watch the film.”
Formally hand a bride to the groom at a wedding
“Her father gave her away.”
“Her brother gave her away at the wedding.”
Don't confuse with
Give away means give something free of charge to someone. Give back means return something to its owner.
Test yourself
“They gave away free samples.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
give back
A contrast learners often mix up
Return something to its owner; Make a contribution in return to a community or cause
blow away
Same away pattern: removal
Be carried away by the wind; Greatly impress someone
brush away
Same away pattern: removal
Push aside dismissively
carry away
Same away pattern: removal
Become so excited or absorbed that you lose self-control
cart away
Same away pattern: removal
Take something or someone away in a vehicle, often without ceremony
clear away
Same away pattern: removal
Remove items to tidy a space
do away
Same away pattern: removal
Remove something completely or abolish it; Murder someone (informal)
shoo away
Same away pattern: removal
Drive away with gestures or noise
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