Phrasal verb
give up
Definitions
01to stop trying
A2 · Elementary
phr.v. to stop trying to do something because it is too difficult.
phr.v. to admit defeat or cease making an effort; often used intransitively when a person stops a task due to frustration or exhaustion.
“I couldn't solve the puzzle, so I decided to give up after an hour.”
“After several failed attempts to repair the engine, the mechanic finally had to give up and suggest a total replacement.”
Usage
often used without an object
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'give in', which specifically means to agree to something you didn't want to do.
02to quit a habit
A2 · Elementary
phr.v. to stop doing something that you do regularly, especially a bad habit.
phr.v. to cease a habitual activity or the consumption of a particular substance.
“My father gave up smoking ten years ago for his health.”
“She decided to give up sugar for a month to see if it would improve her energy levels during the day.”
Usage
takes a noun or a gerund (-ing form) as an object
Pitfall
He gave up to smoke last year.
He gave up smoking last year.
When 'give up' is followed by another verb, that verb must be in the -ing form.
Antonyms
03to surrender something
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to allow someone else to have something that was yours.
phr.v. to relinquish possession or control of something, often under pressure or as a sacrifice.
Español:renunciar
“He had to give up his seat on the bus to an elderly woman.”
“The rebels were forced to give up their weapons as part of the peace agreement signed last week.”
Usage
transitive; the object can go between 'give' and 'up' if it is a pronoun
Synonyms
04to lose hope in someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to stop believing that someone will improve or be found.
phr.v. to cease to expect that someone will act in a certain way or that a missing person will be recovered.
“Don't give up on him yet; he just needs a little more time to learn.”
“The search party refused to give up on the missing hikers despite the worsening weather conditions.”
Usage
usually takes the preposition 'on'
Teaching tip
This sense carries a strong emotional weight, suggesting a final loss of faith or patience.
Synonyms
Teaching tip
Contrast the intransitive use ('I give up!') with the transitive use ('He gave up his dream'), noting the verb is separable ('He gave it up').
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
separable
Pattern
give + up + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0