# give away

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/give-away
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to give for free

phrasal verb · CEFR A2

to give something to someone as a gift without asking for money.

For teachers: to donate or bestow something as a gift; the object is typically a physical item.

- The shop is giving away free samples of their new bread today.
- The charity decided to give away the surplus clothing to local shelters rather than storing it for the next season.

Usage: Transitive and separable; the object can sit between 'give' and 'away'.

### 2. to reveal a secret

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to tell a secret or show a hidden feeling by accident.

For teachers: to unintentionally reveal a secret, motive, or identity; often used reflexively with 'himself' or 'herself'.

- He tried to look calm, but his shaking hands gave him away.
- The informant accidentally gave away the location of the safe house by mentioning a specific landmark during the recorded conversation.

Usage: Often used with a person as the object to mean their true nature or secret was exposed.

### 3. at a wedding

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to walk a bride down the aisle and formally hand her over to the groom.

For teachers: to formally hand over a bride to the bridegroom during a wedding ceremony, traditionally performed by the father.

- Her older brother gave her away because their father could not attend the wedding.
- In many modern ceremonies, both parents choose to give away the bride as a symbol of joint support for the union.

### 4. to lose an advantage

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to lose a point or an advantage in a game because of a mistake.

For teachers: to concede a point, lead, or physical advantage to an opponent, often through error or as a handicap.

- The team gave away a penalty in the final minute of the match.
- The champion was giving away twenty pounds in weight to his challenger, making the upcoming bout a significant test of his technical skill.

## Examples

- I decided to give away my old clothes to charity.
- The shop is giving away free samples of their new perfume to every customer who enters today.
- Although he tried to remain calm, his shaking hands began to give away his true feelings of anxiety during the interview.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: distinguish between the literal sense of donating items and the figurative sense of revealing a secret; use 'give away the ending' of a movie as a relatable classroom example.

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