The phrasal verb “give up” is widely used in English to express quitting, surrendering, or stopping an activity. It can refer to abandoning a task, habit, or effort due to difficulty or a lack of motivation. For example, if someone is struggling with a new skill and decides to stop, they might say, “I tried learning the new designing software, but I eventually gave up.”
Understanding how to use “give up” correctly will help you express frustration, persistence, and personal choices more naturally in conversations. Let’s explore its meanings and examples.
Quick Takeaways
- “Give up” means quitting a habit, activity, or effort.
- Use “give in” instead of “give up” when talking about surrendering to persuasion.
- Include an object if you are specifying what is being given up.
- Use “give up” appropriately, and don’t confuse it with “give away” or other similar phrases.
Give Up Phrasal Verb – Meaning and Examples
1. To Quit or Stop Doing Something
“Give up” is commonly used when someone stops making an effort toward a goal, task, or habit.
Examples:
- Noah gave up playing football after his injury.
- Olivia tried cooking but gave up because she kept burning the food.
- Learning a new language is difficult, but don’t give up too soon!
2. To Surrender or Admit Defeat
“Give up” is also used when someone accepts failure or stops resisting.
Examples:
- After hours of trying to solve the puzzle, Emma finally gave up.
- The enemy soldiers had no choice but to give up and surrender.
- We kept searching for the lost keys, but in the end, we had to give up.
3. To Stop a Habit or Addiction
“Give up” can mean quitting a habit, often related to health or lifestyle changes.
Examples:
- Jake decided to give up smoking for good.
- She gave up junk food and started eating healthy.
- My father gave up drinking coffee last year.
4. To Sacrifice or Let Go of Something
“Give up” is sometimes used when someone lets go of something valuable or important.
Examples:
- They had to give up their pet due to allergies.
- She gave up her dream job to take care of her family.
- The athlete gave up his vacation to train for the championship.
Common Mistakes When Using ‘Give Up’ Phrasal Verb
Even though “give up” is a commonly used phrasal verb, many learners make mistakes when using it. Below are some of the most frequent errors and explanations on how to use “give up” correctly.
Confusing ‘Give Up’ with ‘Give In’
One of the most common mistakes is confusing “give up” with “give in.” While these two phrasal verbs may look similar, their meanings are distinct. “Give up” refers to quitting or stopping an effort, goal, or habit entirely. In contrast, “give in” means surrendering or reluctantly agreeing to something after initial resistance.
✅ She struggled with learning the guitar, but she refused to give up. (She continued trying instead of quitting.)
❌ She struggled with learning the guitar, but she refused to give in. (Incorrect, because “give in” is used for surrendering, not quitting a task.)
✅ After a long argument, Mark finally gave in and agreed to her plan. (He resisted at first but eventually agreed.)
❌ After a long argument, he finally gave up and agreed to her plan. (Incorrect, because “gave up” means quitting rather than agreeing.)
Tip: Use “give up” when stopping an effort or habit. Use “give in” when surrendering or accepting something after resisting.
Using ‘Give Up’ Without an Object When One is Needed
“Give up” can be used with or without an object, but it’s important to know when one is required.
- When “give up” is used in a general sense (meaning stopping an effort), an object is not required.
- When referring to quitting a specific habit, activity, or responsibility, an object must be included to clarify what is being given up.
✅ She tried to finish the puzzle but eventually gave up. (No object needed because the action is implied.)
✅ My father gave up smoking last year. (An object is needed because we are specifying what he quit.)
❌ My father gave up last year. (Incorrect—this sentence is unclear because it doesn’t specify what he quit.)
Tip: If the meaning is clear from the context, “give up” can stand alone. However, when referring to quitting a specific action, habit, or responsibility, an object must be included for clarity.
Not Using ‘Give Up’ in the Right Context
Sometimes, people misuse “give up” in contexts where other phrases are more appropriate.
✅ He gave up on his dreams of becoming an artist. (He quit pursuing his dream.)
❌ He gave up his seat for an elderly passenger. (Incorrect—”gave up” here does not fit the context. The correct phrase would be “gave away” or “offered.”)
Tip: Use “give up” only when quitting an effort, habit, or task. When referring to giving something to someone else, use “give away” or “offer.”
Forgetting That ‘Give Up’ Can Also Mean ‘Surrender’
Many people only associate “give up” with quitting an activity but forget that it can also mean surrendering or admitting defeat.
✅ The soldiers had no choice but to give up. (Surrender)
❌ The soldiers had no choice but to give away. (Incorrect—”give away” means donating or handing over something, not surrendering.)
Tip: “Give up” can mean either quitting a task or surrendering, so make sure to check the context.
