give up
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up
Meanings
Stop trying; surrender
Why “up”? An action, effort, relationship, or process stops, becomes weaker, or does not continue.
“Don't give up so easily.”
“He gave up after the third failed attempt.”
Stop doing or using something
“She gave up smoking last year.”
“I gave up coffee because it kept me awake.”
Memory hook
You raise your hands up in surrender — you give up.
Common mistake
I gave up to smoke.
I gave up smoking.
After give up, use the -ing form, not to.
Natural collocations
The word partners “give up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
In conversation
Are you still running every morning?
No, I gave it up after the injury.
Don't confuse with
Give up means stop trying. Give in means stop resisting pressure.
Test yourself
“Don't give up so easily.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
give in
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop resisting and accept defeat or pressure; Submit completed work to a teacher or boss; Let a temptation or feeling overcome your self-control
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
hang up
Same up pattern: stopping
End a phone call
hold up
Same up pattern: stopping
Raise and keep raised; Delay a person or process
lay up
Same up pattern: stopping
Force someone to stay in bed because of illness or injury
let up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less intense or stop
loosen up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less tense or formal, especially before an activity
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