- To stop trying to do something (often because it's too difficult).
- To abandon hope.
- To surrender or quit.
Explanation
Origin
- Dates back to Middle English (given up).
- Give originally meant 'to transfer possession'.
- Up often signifies completion or finality (e.g., eat up, use up).
- Give up evolved to mean surrendering control or possession of an effort, a struggle, or hope, signifying cessation.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Bail (To abandon an activity or commitment suddenly)
- Chuck it in (UK/Aus slang, similar to 'throw in the towel')
- Tap out (From MMA/wrestling, meaning to signal surrender)
Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing frustration or finality):
- Fuck it, I give up.
- I'm done with this shit. (Implies giving up)
Milder/Standard:
- Cease (More formal)
- Desist (Formal, often legal context)
- Let go (Often refers to emotional attachment or hope)
Situational Appropriateness
- Very common in informal and semi-formal contexts.
- Quit is also common but can sometimes sound slightly more abrupt.
- In highly formal situations, cease efforts or abandon the attempt might be used.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally straightforward. Ensure distinction from give in, which means to yield or submit (e.g., I gave in to temptation and ate the cake). Give up is about stopping effort.
Examples
- The puzzle was too hard, so I gave up.
- Don't give up on your dreams.
- He gave up smoking last year. (Stopped the habit)
- After hours of searching, they gave up hope of finding the missing keys.
Dialogue
Maria: I'm thinking of giving up on learning guitar. It's just too hard.
David: No, don't give up! You've made so much progress.
Maria: But my fingers hurt, and I sound terrible.
David: That's normal at the beginning. Keep practicing! Maybe find a different teacher? Just don't give up yet.
Maria: Okay, okay. Maybe you're right. I won't give up just yet.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Day 5 of the coding challenge. Almost gave up yesterday but pushing through! #100DaysOfCode #DontGiveUp
- Facebook Status: Trying to declutter my house feels overwhelming. Tempted to just give up and live in chaos. 😂
- Instagram Post: (Picture of someone looking tired but determined) Never give up on what you really want. It's difficult to wait, but more difficult to regret. #motivation #keepgoing
Response Patterns
To someone saying they gave up:
- Encouragement: Don't give up!, Keep trying!, Maybe take a break and try again?
- Sympathy/Understanding: Yeah, it sounds really difficult., I understand why you'd give up.
- Inquiry: What made you decide to give up?
To encouragement (Don't give up!):
- Agreement: You're right, I'll try again.
- Disagreement/Resignation: It's no use., I've tried everything.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone announces they gave up (or are thinking about it):
- Ask why (What happened?, Why stop now?).
- Offer support or alternative solutions.
- Encourage them to persist, if appropriate.
After deciding not to give up:
- The person usually resumes the effort or discusses a new strategy.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually part of an ongoing conversation about effort, struggle, or challenges.
Intonation
- Stress usually falls on give and up.
- Don't GIVE UP! (Encouraging)
- I just GAVE UP. (Resigned)
- Tone varies greatly: can be encouraging, resigned, frustrated, or definitive.
Generation Differences
- Universally understood and used across all generations. Tap out might be more familiar to younger generations or those interested in combat sports/gaming.
Regional Variations
- Standard in all major English-speaking regions.