The phrasal verb give in is often used when someone stops resisting or finally agrees to something after holding out for a while. It’s a subtle but powerful expression in English that can show compromise, pressure, or emotional surrender.
Whether it’s used in an argument, a negotiation, or a moment of personal decision, give in communicates a shift from resistance to acceptance. In this guide, you’ll learn what give in means, how to use it in sentences, and how context shapes its interpretation—with practical examples throughout.
What Does “Give In” Mean in English?
The phrasal verb give in means to stop resisting, opposing, or holding back—either physically, mentally, or emotionally. It’s often used when someone finally agrees to something after refusing, or when they surrender under pressure or conflict.
Unlike some other phrasal verbs with give, give in is intransitive and inseparable—it doesn’t take a direct object, and the phrase cannot be split.
You’ll often hear give in in conversations involving arguments, negotiations, or even internal struggles. The meaning depends on the situation, but it generally involves a change from holding firm to letting go.
Common Meanings of “Give In” with Examples
1. To surrender or stop resisting
This is the most common meaning of give in—to stop opposing or fighting against something, often due to pressure, fatigue, or emotional overwhelm.
Examples:
- After hours of arguing, she finally gave in and signed the agreement.
- He refused at first, but eventually gave in to their demands.
- The teacher didn’t give in, even when the entire class protested the deadline.
2. To reluctantly agree or accept something
In this sense, give in describes a situation where someone agrees to something unwillingly, often after repeated pressure or persuasion.
Examples:
- I didn’t want to go out, but I gave in after my friends kept insisting.
- They weren’t planning to lower the price, but they gave in during negotiations.
- She finally gave in and let her kids have dessert before dinner.
How to Use “Give In” in Sentences
1. It is an intransitive phrasal verb
Give in does not take a direct object as it’s an intransitive phrasal verb. This means you cannot follow it directly with a noun or pronoun. Instead, it’s often followed by a prepositional phrase or used on its own when the context is clear.
Examples:
- He didn’t want to argue anymore, so he gave in.
- I finally gave in to the idea of moving abroad.
- She never gave in, even under pressure.
2. It is inseparable
You cannot place any words between “give” and “in.” Unlike separable phrasal verbs, give in must stay together as a unit.
Correct:
- They gave in after several hours of debate.
Incorrect:
- ❌ They gave the pressure in. (This breaks the phrasal verb)
3. Often used in emotional or conflict-driven situations
The tone of give in often reflects emotion, pressure, or internal struggle. It’s useful for expressing a turning point in a disagreement, negotiation, or personal decision.
Examples:
- Don’t give in just because they’re louder.
- I knew I shouldn’t have another cookie, but I gave in.
Synonyms of “Give In”
The meaning of give in can vary slightly based on the situation, but it generally involves surrender, acceptance, or compliance. Below are some common synonyms grouped by context.
To surrender or stop resisting
- Yield
- Surrender
- Submit
- Relent
- Cave in (informal)
Example:
She finally gave in after hours of negotiation.
→ She finally relented after hours of negotiation.
To agree reluctantly
- Concede
- Back down
- Agree (reluctantly)
- Comply
- Go along with
Example:
He didn’t want to change the schedule, but he gave in.
→ He conceded and accepted the new schedule.
Related Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
The verb give forms several phrasal verbs, each with a different meaning depending on the particle that follows. Learning these together with give in helps build a clearer understanding of common English expressions.
Give up
Meaning: To stop trying, to quit, or to surrender
Example: She didn’t give up even after three failed attempts.
Give away
Meaning: To donate, distribute, or reveal something unintentionally
Example: He accidentally gave away the surprise.
Give out
Meaning: To distribute something or to stop functioning
Example: They gave out flyers at the event.
Give off
Meaning: To emit a smell, light, or heat
Example: The flowers gave off a sweet scent.
Give back
Meaning: To return something to its original owner
Example: Please give back my notebook when you’re done.
Example Sentences with “Give In” Phrasal Verb
- He kept saying no, but he finally gave in when they offered a discount.
- The protestors refused to give in, even after several warnings.
- I didn’t want to help at first, but I gave in when I saw how much work was left.
- She didn’t want to attend the event, but she gave in out of politeness.
- We weren’t going to buy the toy, but our daughter cried until we gave in.
- The manager gave in and approved the leave after multiple requests.