English

Verb

give up ‎(third-person singular simple present gives up, present participle giving up, simple past gave up, past participle given up)

1. (transitive) To surrender (someone or something).

   He was surrounded, so gave himself up.

   They gave him up to the police.

2. (transitive) To stop or quit (an activity, etc).

   They gave up the search when it got dark.

3. (transitive) To relinquish (something).

   He gave up his seat to an old man.

   • 1816, Jane Austen, Emma, Volume 1, Chapter 7:

     "Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing in the world."

4. (transitive) To lose hope concerning (someone or something).

   They gave him up for dead.

5. (transitive) To abandon (someone or something).

   I gave up my faith years ago.

6. (intransitive) To admit defeat, to capitulate.

   OK, I give up, you win.

Synonyms

• ((transitive) surrender): surrender, yield
• ((transitive) stop or quit): blin, cease, discontinue
• ((transitive) relinquish): forlend, surrender, yield
• ((transitive) lose hope concerning):
• ((transitive) abandon): desert, forlet, forsake
• ((intransitive) admit defeat): capitulate, surrender, wave the white flag

Derived terms

• don't give up your day job

Translations

Anagrams

• upgive