give
v.v. to hand something to someone so they can keep it or use it. You can also use this to mean providing information or a feeling.
v. to transfer possession of something to another person voluntarily; to provide or supply. Often used in a ditransitive structure with both a direct and indirect object.
Please give me the book.
The local charity asked residents to give any spare clothes to the winter clothing drive.
The professor decided to give the students additional time to complete the final exam after the library closure disrupted their research schedule.
Middle English given, from merger of Old English giefan (“to give”) and Old Norse gefa (“to give”), from Proto-Germanic *gebaną (“to give”). Displaced yive, from Middle English yiven, of the same origin, from influence of Old Norse gefa.
Often takes two objects: an indirect object (the person) and a direct object (the thing).
I gave to him the keys.I gave him the keys.When using two objects without 'to', the person (indirect object) must come before the thing (direct object).
- 01
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 02
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 03
give a fuck
To care; to give a shit.