give in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Stop resisting and accept defeat or pressure
Why “in”? A person stops resisting pressure, defeat, or a strong feeling.
“He finally gave in.”
“The child gave in and went to bed.”
“After three failed offers, the seller gave in and lowered the price.”
Submit completed work to a teacher or boss
Why “in”? An item, answer, or decision is given to a person, office, business, or system.
“Give in your essays by Friday.”
“Students gave in their projects.”
Let a temptation or feeling overcome your self-control
“I gave in to a craving.”
“She gave in to the urge to laugh.”
Memory hook
Your resistance caves in — it collapses inward.
Common mistake
He finally gave in their demands.
He finally gave in to their demands.
Use give in to before the thing you accept.
Natural collocations
The word partners “give in” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Give in means stop resisting pressure. Give up means stop trying.
Give in means submit completed work to a teacher or boss. Give out means distribute to many people.
Give in means let a temptation or feeling overcome your self-control. Give over means cede control to someone else.
Test yourself
“He finally gave in.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
give out
A contrast learners often mix up
Distribute to many people
give over
A contrast learners often mix up
Cede control to someone else
give up
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop trying; surrender; Stop doing or using something
bring in
Same in pattern: submission
Introduce someone or something into a discussion or organisation; Earn money for a person or business; Introduce a new law, system or rule; Deliver a verdict in a court
cave in
Same in pattern: yielding
Yield under pressure
hand in
Same in pattern: submission
Submit something formally to a person or office; Return found property to authorities
key in
Same in pattern: submission
Enter information using a keyboard or keypad
send in
Same in pattern: submission
Submit something formally by post or email
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “give in”.
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