give in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Stop resisting and accept defeat or pressure
Why “in”? Something goes into a system after it was held back, like a form, a story, or pressure.
“He finally gave in.”
“The child gave in and went to bed.”
“After hours of arguing, she finally gave in.”
Hand in completed work to a teacher or boss
“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.”
Don't confuse with
Give in means stop resisting pressure. Give up means stop trying.
Give in means hand in 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
cave in
Same in pattern: submission
Yield under pressure
hand in
Same in pattern: submission
Submit something formally to a person or office; Return found property to authorities
send in
Same in pattern: submission
Submit something formally by post or email
take in
Same in pattern: submission
Understand and absorb information; Deceive or cheat; Alter clothing to make smaller
give away
Same base verb: give
Give something free of charge to someone; Reveal a secret, often unintentionally; Formally hand a bride to the groom at a wedding
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “give in”.
Practice “give in” in Sink In
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