# surrender to

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surrender-to
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to stop fighting or resisting something and let it control you.

For teachers: to cease resistance to an enemy, opponent, or overwhelming force; can also describe yielding to an emotion or impulse.

## Examples

- The soldiers had to surrender to the enemy.
- After hours of trying to stay awake, she finally surrendered to her exhaustion and fell asleep.
- The rebel forces were eventually forced to surrender to the government troops after their supply lines were completely severed.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They surrendered the enemy." but "They surrendered to the enemy." — without 'to', the verb means you are giving something up (like a weapon), rather than giving yourself up to someone else.

## Usage notes

- requires a direct object following the preposition 'to'.
- Teaching tip: highlight that this can be used literally for war or figuratively for feelings like 'temptation' or 'despair' to help students see its range.

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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.