# give in

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/give-in
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to stop fighting or arguing and accept that you cannot win. You use this when you finally agree to do something because someone kept asking you.

For teachers: to cease resistance or opposition; to yield to pressure, an argument, or a request. The verb is frequently used intransitively to describe the act of surrendering.

## Examples

- The kids kept asking for sweets until I finally gave in.
- After hours of intense negotiation, the management finally gave in to the workers' demands for better pay.
- The senator refused to give in to political pressure, maintaining her stance on the controversial bill despite the risk to her upcoming re-election campaign.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I gave in running because it was too hard." but "I gave up running because it was too hard." — use 'give up' for quitting an activity; 'give in' means to stop resisting pressure from others.

## Usage notes

- often used alone or followed by 'to' and a noun.
- Teaching tip: distinguish from 'give up', which focuses on quitting a difficult task rather than yielding to another person's will.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.