give
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++give1 /ɡɪv/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense gave /ɡeɪv/, past participle given /ˈɡɪvən/) 1 present or money 礼物或钱 [intransitive, transitive]GIVE to let someone have something as a present, or to provide something for someone 赠送，给予，捐赠give somebody something What did Bob give you for your birthday? 你生日鲍勃送了你什么？ Researchers were given a £10,000 grant to continue their work. 研究人员得到一万英镑的经费以继续他们的研究。 I’ve got some old diaries that my grandmother gave me years ago. 我有几本旧日记本，是多年前祖母给我的。give something to somebody a ring which was given to him by his mother 他母亲送给他的一枚戒指 I didn’t steal it! Maria gave it to me! 我不是偷的！是玛丽亚给我的！ Most people are willing to give to charity. 大多数人都愿意向慈善事业捐款。 The situation is now desperate, so please give generously. 现在情况危急，请大家慷慨解囊。 ► Don’t say ‘give to someone something’: He gave me a card (NOT He gave to me a card). | They gave a prize to the best chef (NOT They gave to the best chef a prize).不要说 ‘give to someone something’: He gave me a card (不说 He gave to me a card). 他送给我一张卡片。| They gave a prize to the best chef (不说 They gave to the best chef a prize). 他们给最佳大厨颁了奖。2 put STH in SB’s hand 把某物放入某人手里 [transitive]GIVE to put something in someone’s hand 交给，递给，拿给give somebody something Give me the letter, please. 请把信给我。give something to somebody He poured some wine into a glass and gave it to her. 他倒了一杯酒递给她。3 let SB do STH 让某人做某事 [transitive]LET/ALLOW to allow or make it possible for someone to do something 允许，许可give somebody something He finally gave us permission to leave. 他最后还是允许我们离开。 These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. 这些会议给每个人发表意见的机会。 Students are given the freedom to choose their own topics. 学生有选择课题的自主权。 Language gives us the ability to communicate at a much higher level than any other animal. 语言赋予我们远远高于其他动物的交流能力。 Women were given the vote in the early 1900s. 20 世纪初，妇女获得了选举权。give somebody control/authority/responsibility etc She was given absolute control over all recruitment decisions. 所有的人事录用决策她都有绝对的控制权。give something to somebody This bill will give more power to local authorities. 这项议案将给予地方政府更大的权力。4 tell SB STH 告诉某人某事 [transitive]TELL to tell someone information or details about something, or to tell someone what they should do 给予，提供〔信息〕 She gave me some information on university courses. 她向我提供了一些有关大学课程的信息。 My secretary will be able to give you more details. 我的秘书会告诉你更详细的情况。 Let me give you some advice. 我给你一些建议吧。give orders/instructions She certainly likes giving orders. 她确实爱发号施令。 They were given strict instructions not to tell anyone. 他们得到严格指示不要告诉任何人。 Can you give me directions to the station (=tell me how to go there)? 你能告诉我去车站怎么走吗？ He gave the following example. 他举了下面的例子。 You may have to give evidence in court (=tell a court about what you have seen or know to be true). 你可能需要出庭作证。give an account/description He gave a disturbing account of the murder. 他对凶案发生经过的描述令人困惑。5 make a movement/do an action 做出动作DO [transitive] to do something by making a movement with your hand, face, body etc 做〔动作〕6 speech/talk/performance 演说/谈话/表演 [transitive]APPERFORM to make a speech, perform a piece of music etc for a group of people 发表〔讲话等〕；举行〔演出等〕7 make SB have a feeling 使某人有某种感觉 [transitive]CAUSE to make someone have a feeling 使产生〔某种感觉〕8 make SB have problems 给某人带来问题 [transitive]SCT to make someone have problems 带来〔问题〕9 make SB ill 使某人生病 [transitive]GIVE to infect someone with the same illness that you have 传染10 organize a social event 组织社交活动PARTY [transitive] to organize a social event such as a party 举办，举行〔聚会等〕 SYN hold, put on11 make SB do STH 使某人做某事 [transitive]JOB/TASK to tell someone to do a job or piece of work 分配〔任务〕；布置〔作业〕12 make SB/STH have a quality 使某人/某物具有某种品质 [transitive]PROVIDE to make someone or something have a particular quality 使具有〔某种品质〕 SYN lend13 pay for 为…付钱 [transitive]PAY FOR to pay a particular amount of money for something 支付，付给14 behave towards 以某种态度对待 [transitive] to behave towards someone in a way that shows you have a particular attitude or feeling towards them 表示〔某种态度或情感〕15 punishment 惩罚 [transitive] to officially say that someone must have a particular punishment 判处，处以16 give (somebody) an impression/a sense/an idea IDEAto make someone think about something in a particular way 给（某人）某种印象/感觉/想法17 give something thought/attention/consideration etc (also give thought/attention/consideration etc to something)THINK ABOUT to spend some time thinking about something carefully 考虑某事18 give (somebody) a hand spokenHELP to help someone do something 帮（某人）一下19 give somebody a call/buzz (also give somebody a ring/bell British English) informalTELEPHONE to telephone someone 打电话给某人20 give something a try/shot/whirl (also give something a go British English) informalTRY TO DO OR GET something to try to do something, especially something you have not done before 试一试某事21 give somebody time/a few weeks/all day etc TIME/HAVE TIMEto allow time for someone to do something, or for something to happen 给某人时间/几个星期时间/一整天时间等22 I give it six weeks/a month etc spokenCONTINUOUS used to say that you do not think something will continue successfully for very long 我估计不会超过六个星期/一个月等〔某事就会失败〕23 not give something a second thought/another thought to not think or worry about something at all 根本不想某事；毫不担心某事24 be less strict 让步 [intransitive]CHANGE/BECOME DIFFERENT to be willing to change what you think or do according to what else happens 让步，妥协25 state a decision 宣布决定 [transitive] British EnglishDS to state what your official decision or judgment is, for example in a game 作出〔决定或判决〕26 give a mark/score 给分数 [transitive] to decide that someone should have a particular score or mark for something that they have done 给出〔分数或成绩〕27 bend/stretch 弯曲/伸展 [intransitive]LOOSE if a material gives, it bends or stretches when you put pressure on it 弯曲；伸展28 break/move 折断/移动 [intransitive]BREAK if something gives, it breaks or moves away suddenly because of weight or pressure on it 断裂；移动29 give me something (any day/time) spokenPREFER used to say that you like something much more than something else 我最喜欢的是某物30 would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something spokenWANT used when you would like something very much 愿意为某物付出一切〔表示十分想要某物〕31 not give a damn/shit etc spoken not politeDON'T CARE used to say that you do not care at all about something 毫不在乎32 don’t give me that spokenBELIEVE used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse or explanation 别给我来那一套〔表示不相信某人的借口或解释〕33 give somebody what for spoken to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with them 痛骂某人34 give as good as you get FIGHT FOR OR AGAINST somethingto fight or argue with someone using the same amount of skill or force that they are using 针锋相对，毫不示弱地反击[反驳]35 give and take informal to help other people and do things for them as well as expecting them to do things for you 互谅互让，互帮互助36 give or take a few minutes/a penny/a mile etc APPROXIMATELY spoken used to say that the amount or figure that you have just mentioned is nearly correct, but not exactly 相差几分钟/一便士/一英里等37 I’ll give you that spokenTRUE used to admit that someone is right about something 那点我承认38 give somebody to understand/think/believe something formal to make someone think that a particular thing is true 使某人理解/相信某事39 give it to somebody straight informal to tell someone something in a clear direct way 直接告诉某人40. I give you the chairman/prime minister/groom etc British English spoken used at the end of a formal speech to invite people to welcome a special guest 有请主席/首相/新郎等41. sex 性 [transitive] old-fashionedGIVE if a woman gives herself to a man, she has sex with him 〔女子〕委身于〔男子〕 THESAURUSgive to let someone have something, without expecting to be paid for it 赠送，给予He was always giving me gifts. 他总是送我礼物。They gave a free drink to all their customers. 他们给所有顾客都送一杯免费饮料。donate to give money to an organization that helps people or protects something, or to give your blood or part of your body to save someone’s life 捐赠，捐献The company donates 1 per cent of its profits to charity. 这家公司把利润的1%捐赠给慈善机构。70% of people wanted to donate their organs after death. 有70%的人想要去世后捐献自己的器官。award to officially give money or a prize to someone 奖励，授予She was awarded a million dollars in damages. 她得到了一百万美元的损失赔偿。Hollywood awarded him an Oscar for his performance. 好莱坞给他颁发了奥斯卡表演奖。present to formally or officially give something to someone by putting it in their hands, especially at a formal ceremony 颁发，授予They presented her with a bouquet of flowers. 他们给她献上了一束花。leave (also bequeath /bɪˈkwiːð, bɪˈkwiːθ/ formal) to officially arrange for someone to have something that you own after your death （死后）留给，遗赠He left most of his property to his wife. 他把大部分财产都留给了妻子。lavish somebody with something/lavish something on somebody formal to give someone a lot of something, especially praise, attention, or gifts 给予某人大量某物After his team won, the press lavished him with praise. 他的球队获胜之后，报界对他盛赞有加。confer formal to give someone an honour, a university degree, or the right or power to do something 授予，赋予〔荣誉、学位、权利或权力〕the powers conferred on him by Parliament 议会授予他的权力nthe highest honor that her country could confer on her nbestow formal to give someone something to show how much they are respected, for example an honour, a title, or a gift – a very formal useHe was also bestowed the title of ‘Cultural Ambassador of Grenada’. to give something to a group of people 把某物送给一群人hand something out/give something out to give something to each of the people in a group 分发某物The teacher handed out the test papers. 老师把测验卷子分发下去。nI’m going to give out some forms for you to fill in.distribute to give things to a large number of people, especially in the streets 〔尤在街上〕散发Anti-war protesters were distributing leaflets. 反战示威抗议者在散发传单。share (also share something out British English) to divide something into equal parts and give a part to each person 分享,共享They shared the profits among the staff. 他们让员工分享利润。 PHRASAL VERBS→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
give• He said he'd give £40 for the painting, so I said yes.• "I don't really want to spend that much." "OK, how much are you prepared to give?"• I'm giving a dinner party on Thursday night. Would you like to come?• Dr Hebden will be giving a lecture later this week on the role of women in the economy.• Don't worry if swimsuits are tight -- they always give a little.• Davis gives a wonderful performance as an 81-year-old man.• A bigger fact in history than so-called historians give credit for.• Companies are already paying for training programs to give employees the basic skills they should have learned in high school.• He gives generously to the church.• Come on, give Grandpa a hug.• Their steep decline has given grim satisfaction to their legions of detractors.• His new hairstyle gives him a youthful look.• His uniform gave him an air of authority.• I asked Joel's teacher if we should give him some Level 4 work.• LA Weekly magazine gives information about what's on in Los Angeles every week.• Give me a call at 8:00.• Can you give me a ride to the office tomorrow?• I gave my nieces and nephews $20 each.• We merely suggest or advise rather than give orders.• Angie did a really good interview, but they gave the job to someone with more experience.• They gave the woman a mattress on the floor.• 'Have you peeled the carrots?' 'No, I gave them to Dad to do.'• About a quarter of Britons regularly give to charity.• That was why she could not, must not, give up on the boy.• If you're bored, I'll give you something to do.• Did they give you the asking price for the house?give somebody something• Aunt Jo gave Alex a telescope.• The noise is giving me a headache.• They never gave me a chance to explain.• Women were given the right to vote in the early 1900s.• Would you give Kim a message for me?• Dan gave me a ride to work.• He didn't give us any explanation for what he did.• Here, give me your coat. I'll hang it up for you.• I wasn't given any help at all.• Jones was given thirty years for the murder.• Let me give you some advice.• My husband gave me this cold.• The doctor gave him something for the pain.gave ... permission• Allen Ginsberg gave us permission, and demanded accountability.• The development control sub-committee gave planning permission and will now begin putting out and accepting tenders for the work.• Her father, finding her in this condition, sadly relented and gave his permission for her entrance.• Although Swensson gave written permission for the doctor to discuss his case, Petersen declined to comment.• The army later gave permission for women, children under 18 and men over 60 to leave Sarajevo next week.• The Treasury gave permission in 1971 for work to commence and the building operation started in the autumn.• I gave myself permission in the remaining months I had in Paris to focus on Meurent.• In 1793 the government gave permission to convert entailed property into treasury bonds.give ... advice• I value the way they accept my orders and the talented, knowledgeable and irreplaceable company agronomist who gives me advice.• If you wait for inspiration it may be more difficult for the Careers Service to give constructive advice.• The mud pony was the original talking horse, and this pony gave good advice.• Who are you to pretend to be giving advice?• Who says I never give you helpful advice?• I shall give you my advice in twenty-four hours.• He is now preparing information for distribution to commercial rose growers and to retail nurseries to give advice on controlling the pests.• Throughout the play characters are giving advice to one another as to how they should behave.give a smile/laugh/grin/frown/yawn etc• Instead give smiles and nods of encouragement and messages of trust and positive expectations.• He gave a laugh, then on further thought laughed some more.give a talk/speech/lecture• But once in the workshop they assembled all the workers and gave speeches.• They also appear slightly more confident and enjoy leading groups, giving speeches and presentations.• President Clinton was here to give a speech in a neighboring town.• Pataki later gave a speech nominating Jack Kemp for vice president.• The journey culminated in a Friday night debate where Patten gave a lecture on proper posture.• Despite the hostile reaction, Prusiner continued his research, publishing papers and giving lectures that some called near-religious experiences.• This involves giving talks to farmers and gamekeepers about how they can carry out their work in a bird-friendly way.• Between 1907 and 1911 he gave lectures which were ultimately to become the renowned Cours Linguistique Générale.given ... confidence• A home of my own has given me confidence.• Also rejected was an objection that the Commission had decided to disclose information given in confidence.• Clients will of course be assured that all details are given in confidence.• She too has given him confidence and relieved some of the loneliness of his position.• Her unique status had given her unusual confidence for a Tiller.• Now Helen, loving and admiring him, had given him the confidence he needed to be happy.• We must be given confidence in the Government who rule us without our consent.• The places I've been and people I've met have given me the confidence to carry on.giving a ... party• They pointed out that the incident could be marked by planting a tree on the course or giving a party.• They are giving the Republican Party a second look, or maybe even a first look.• They had grown tired of giving parties and picnics in Swangrove.• The conference approved a series of structural reforms giving constituency parties and the unions more power over the appointment of the leader.• He had admiration, financial success-yet it was as though he were giving a great party every night.• He was giving the party for his brother, visiting London again now, at the end of the summer.• But a recent poll of white voters showed only one in four giving the party their support.give somebody something for something• I'll give you $75 for the oak desk.give somebody a fine/a sentence• Function words are those which give structure to a sentence, such as articles, pronouns, prepositions, etc.give2 noun [uncountable] 1 LOOSEthe ability of a material or substance to bend or stretch when put under pressure 伸展性，弹性 The rope has quite a bit of give in it. 这绳子相当有弹性。Examples from the Corpus
give• Obviously, in any negotiations there has to be a give and a take.• There was hardly any give at all.• This skirt doesn't have a lot of give to it.has ... give• Approval has now been given for the acquisition of the building.• The Altru Hospital Auxiliary has given the largest contribution thus far.• The Dole campaign has not yet given the thumbs up, preferring to wait for the results of Super Tuesday.• Over one million pounds has been given away since the series began and audience figures last year topped 14 million.• That portion of the decision in Roe has been given too little acknowledgement and implementation by the Court in its subsequent cases.• She knows the bench is weak in part because she has not given any of the newcomers significant playing time.• Our colleague Mark Wheadon has also given valuable help.• It is he who has given you the ability to swim.Origin give1 Old English giefangive1 verb →10-19 →20-29 →30-41
→THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1give2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
→THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1give2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
Corpus something present, or a have to as let someone
give
give1 S1 W1 /ɡɪv/ 
verb (past tense gave /ɡeɪv/, past participle given /ˈɡɪvən/)
give somebody something
What did Bob give you for your birthday?
Researchers were given a £10,000 grant to continue their work.
I’ve got some old diaries that my grandmother gave me years ago.
give something to somebody
a ring which was given to him by his mother
I didn’t steal it! Maria gave it to me!
Most people are willing to give to charity.
The situation is now desperate, so please give generously.
► Do not say ‘give to someone something’: He gave me a card (NOT He gave to me a card). | They gave a prize to the best chef (NOT They gave to the best chef a prize).
2. PUT SOMETHING IN SB’S HAND [transitive] to put something in someone’s hand
give somebody something
Give me the letter, please.
give something to somebody
He poured some wine into a glass and gave it to her.
3. LET SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING [transitive] to allow or make it possible for someone to do something
give somebody something
He finally gave us permission to leave.
These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions.
Students are given the freedom to choose their own topics.
Language gives us the ability to communicate at a much higher level than any other animal.
Women were given the vote in the early 1900s.
give somebody control/authority/responsibility etc
She was given absolute control over all recruitment decisions.
give something to somebody
This bill will give more power to local authorities.
4. TELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING [transitive] to tell someone information or details about something, or to tell someone what they should do:
She gave me some information on university courses.
My secretary will be able to give you more details.
Let me give you some advice.
give orders/instructions
She certainly likes giving orders.
They were given strict instructions not to tell anyone.
Can you give me directions to the station (=tell me how to go there)?
He gave the following example.
You may have to give evidence in court (=tell a court about what you have seen or know to be true).
give an account/description
He gave a disturbing account of the murder.
5. MAKE A MOVEMENT/DO AN ACTION [transitive] to do something by making a movement with your hand, face, body etc
give a smile/laugh/grin/frown/yawn etc
She gave a little frown.
Joel gave me a smile as I walked in.
He gave her a big hug.
give a wave/movement/signal
He gave a wave of his hand.
Don’t move until I give the signal.
give something a shake/rattle/tug etc
She picked up the envelope and gave it a shake.
6. SPEECH/TALK/PERFORMANCE [transitive] to make a speech, perform a piece of music etc for a group of people
give a talk/speech/lecture
He’s giving a talk on early Roman pottery.
give a performance/display
They gave one of their best performances to date.
7. MAKE SOMEBODY HAVE A FEELING [transitive] to make someone have a feeling
give somebody something
He gave us quite a shock.
The course has given me a lot more confidence.
His job did not give him much sense of fulfilment.
give something to somebody
Their music has given pleasure to a lot of people over the years.
give somebody a headache/hangover
Keep the noise down – you’re giving me a headache!
8. MAKE SOMEBODY HAVE PROBLEMS [transitive] to make someone have problems
give somebody problems/trouble/difficulties
The new software has given us quite a few problems.
9. MAKE SOMEBODY ILL [transitive] to infect someone with the same illness that you have
give somebody something
Don’t come too close – I don’t want you to give me your cold!
give something to somebody
It’s very unlikely a doctor could give HIV to a patient.
10. ORGANIZE A SOCIAL EVENT [transitive] to organize a social event such as a party
SYN hold, put on:
We’re giving a small party for dad’s birthday next week.
11. MAKE SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING [transitive] to tell someone to do a job or piece of work
give somebody work/homework etc
How much homework are you given in a week?
He’s always giving us chores to do around the house.
12. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING HAVE A QUALITY [transitive] to make someone or something have a particular quality
SYN lend
give somebody/something sth
The ginger gives the dish a wonderful spicy flavour.
His grey hair gave him an air of distinction.
Its association with the movie industry has given the place a certain glamor.
13. PAY FOR [transitive] to pay a particular amount of money for something:
They say they’re not willing to give any more than they’ve already offered.
give somebody something for something
They gave us £700 for our old car.
How much will you give me for these two games?
14. BEHAVE TOWARDS [transitive] to behave towards someone in a way that shows you have a particular attitude or feeling towards them
give somebody loyalty/obedience/respect
The people were expected to give their leader absolute obedience and loyalty.
15. PUNISHMENT [transitive] to officially say that someone must have a particular punishment
give somebody a fine/a sentence
If you don’t pay on time, you could be given a fine of up to $1,000.
give somebody six months/three years etc (=in prison)
The judge gave her two years in prison.
16. give (somebody) an impression/a sense/an idea to make someone think about something in a particular way:
I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea about the job.
The report gives us a very accurate picture of life in the inner cities.
17. give something thought/attention/consideration etc (also give thought/attention/consideration etc to something) to spend some time thinking about something carefully:
Congress has been giving the crime bill serious consideration.
I’ll give the matter some thought and let you know my decision next week.
18. give (somebody) a hand spoken to help someone do something:
Can you give me a hand?
give (somebody) a hand with
Shall I give you a hand with that bag?
19. give somebody a call/buzz (also give somebody a ring/bell British English) informal to telephone someone:
I’ll give you a call about seven, okay?
20. give something a try/shot/whirl (also give something a go British English) informal to try to do something, especially something you have not done before:
I’m not usually much good at this sort of game, but I’ll give it a go.
21. give somebody time/a few weeks/all day etc to allow time for someone to do something, or for something to happen:
I’ve asked him to give me a couple more days to finish my essay.
Flexible working hours could give working parents more time to spend with their children.
22. I give it six weeks/a month etc spoken used to say that you do not think something will continue successfully for very long:
I give the project six months at the most before it all falls apart.
23. not give something a second thought/another thought to not think or worry about something at all:
The matter didn’t seem important, and I hardly gave it a second thought.
24. BE LESS STRICT [intransitive] to be willing to change what you think or do according to what else happens:
I think that both sides need to give a little.
25. STATE A DECISION [transitive] British English to state what your official decision or judgement is, for example in a game:
The referee has given a penalty.
The jury will be giving its verdict within the next couple of days.
26. GIVE A MARK/SCORE [transitive] to decide that someone should have a particular score or mark for something that they have done:
She only gave me a B for my last essay.
The judges have given him top marks for this performance.
27. BEND/STRETCH [intransitive] if a material gives, it bends or stretches when you put pressure on it:
New shoes often feel tight, but the leather should give a little after a few days.
28. BREAK/MOVE [intransitive] if something gives, it breaks or moves away suddenly because of weight or pressure on it:
The branch suddenly gave beneath him.
I pushed against the door with all my might, but it still wouldn’t give.
29. give me something (any day/time) spoken used to say that you like something much more than something else:
Give me good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll any day!
30. would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something spoken used when you would like something very much:
I’d give my right arm for a figure like that.
31. not give a damn/shit etc spoken not polite used to say that you do not care at all about something:
I don’t give a damn what you think.
32. don’t give me that spoken used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse or explanation:
Don’t give me that! I know exactly where you’ve been!
33. give somebody what for spoken to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with them:
I’ll give that boy what for when I see him!
34. give as good as you get to fight or argue with someone using the same amount of skill or force that they are using:
I don’t worry about Emma because I know she can give as good as she gets.
35. give and take informal to help other people and do things for them as well as expecting them to do things for you:
You have to learn to give and take in any relationship.
36. give or take a few minutes/a penny/a mile etc spoken used to say that the amount or figure that you have just mentioned is nearly correct, but not exactly:
It’ll be a £1,000, give or take £50 or so.
37. I’ll give you that spoken used to admit that someone is right about something:
I was wrong to trust him, I’ll give you that.
38. give somebody to understand/think/believe something formal to make someone think that a particular thing is true:
I was given to understand that I would be offered a permanent job.
39. give it to somebody straight informal to tell someone something in a clear direct way:
There’s no point in beating about the bush, so I’ll give it to you straight.
40. I give you the chairman/prime minister/groom etc British English spoken used at the end of a formal speech to invite people to welcome a special guest
41. SEX [transitive] old-fashioned if a woman gives herself to a man, she has sex with him
▪ give to let someone have something, without expecting to be paid for it: He was always giving me gifts. | They gave a free drink to all their customers.
▪donate to give money to an organization that helps people or protects something, or to give your blood or part of your body to save someone’s life: The company donates 1 per cent of its profits to charity. | 70% of people wanted to donate their organs after death.
▪award to officially give money or a prize to someone: She was awarded a million dollars in damages. | Hollywood awarded him an Oscar for his performance.
▪present to formally or officially give something to someone by putting it in their hands, especially at a formal ceremony: They presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
▪leave (also bequeath /bɪˈkwiːð, bɪˈkwiːθ/ formal) to officially arrange for someone to have something that you own after your death: He left most of his property to his wife.
▪lavish somebody with something/lavish something on somebody formal to give someone a lot of something, especially praise, attention, or gifts: After his team won, the press lavished him with praise.
▪confer formal to give someone an honour, a university degree, or the right or power to do something: the powers conferred on him by Parliament | the highest honor that her country could confer on her
▪bestow formal to give someone something to show how much they are respected, for example an honour, a title, or a gift – a very formal use: He was also bestowed the title of ‘Cultural Ambassador of Grenada’.
■ to give something to a group of people
▪hand something out/give something out to give something to each of the people in a group: The teacher handed out the test papers. | I’m going to give out some forms for you to fill in.
▪distribute to give things to a large number of people, especially in the streets: Anti-war protesters were distributing leaflets.
▪share (also share something out British English) to divide something into equal parts and give a part to each person: They shared the profits among the staff.
give somebody/something away phrasal verb
1. to give something to someone because you do not want or need it for yourself:
I gave most of my books away when I left college.
give somebody/something away to
Give your old clothes away to a thrift shop.
2. to give something to someone without asking for any money, rather than selling it to them:
We’re giving away a free diary with tomorrow’s newspaper.
give somebody/something away to
We have 1,000 CDs to give away to our readers.
3. to show where someone is or what they are doing or thinking when they are trying to keep this a secret:
Don’t worry, I won’t give you away.
Sue tried to smile, but her voice gave her away.
give yourself away
I knew that if I moved I would give myself away.
The look on his face gave the game away (=showed something that he was trying to keep secret).
4. to tell someone something that you should keep secret:
He gave away as little information as possible.
I don’t want to give away exactly how the system works.
I don’t want to give the game away (=give information that should be secret) by saying too much.
5. to lose in a game or competition by doing something badly or making mistakes:
We gave away two goals in the first half.
The Democrats are now in danger of giving the whole election away.
6. to give formal permission for a woman to marry a man as part of a traditional wedding ceremony
give something ↔ back phrasal verb
1. to give something to the person it belongs to or the person who gave it to you:
This isn’t your money and you must give it back.
Of course you can have a look at it, as long as you give it back.
give something back to somebody
I’ll give the keys back to you tomorrow morning.
give somebody something ↔ back
Her ex-husband refused to give her back any of her old photos and letters.
2. to make it possible for someone to have or do something again
SYN restore
give somebody something ↔ back
He underwent an expensive operation to give him back his sight.
The company finally agreed to give the women their old jobs back.
give something back to somebody
This legislation will give more power back to local authorities.
give in phrasal verb
1. to finally agree to do or accept something that you had at first opposed, especially because someone has forced or persuaded you to:
Eventually I gave in and accepted the job on their terms.
Bob’s wife went on at him so much that eventually he gave in.
give in to
The government refused to give in to their demands.
2. to accept that you are defeated in a game, fight, competition etc ⇨ surrender:
The rebels were eventually forced to give in.
We will carry on fighting to the end. We will never give in.
3. give something ↔ in British English to give a piece of work or something you have written to someone in authority
SYN hand in:
You were supposed to give this work in four days ago.
Rose decided to give in her notice (=officially say she was going to leave her job).
give something ↔ in to
All assignments must be given in to your teacher by Friday.
give in to something phrasal verb
to no longer try to stop yourself from doing something you want to do:
Don’t give in to the temptation to argue back.
If you feel the urge for a cigarette, try not to give in to it.
give of something phrasal verb formal
if you give of yourself, your time, your money etc, you do things for other people without expecting anything in return:
Retired people are often willing to give of their time to help with community projects.
give off something phrasal verb
to produce a smell, light, heat, a sound etc:
The wood gave off a sweet, perfumed smell as it burned.
give onto something phrasal verb
if a window, door, or building gives onto a particular place, it leads to that place or you can see that place from it:
the garden gate that gives onto the main road
a small balcony giving onto fields
give out phrasal verb
1. give something ↔ out to give something to each person in a group
SYN hand out:
Can you give the drinks out, please?
give something ↔ out to
Students were giving out leaflets to everyone on the street.
2. if part of your body gives out, it stops working properly or becomes much weaker:
Just as I approached the town, my legs finally gave out.
3. if a supply of something gives out, there is none left:
My money was beginning to give out and there were no jobs to be found.
After two hours her patience gave out.
4. give out something to produce something such as light, heat, or a signal
SYN emit:
A gas lamp gave out a pale yellowish light.
5. give something ↔ out British English formal to announce something, especially officially:
It was given out that the government was to enter into negotiations with the rebels.
give over phrasal verb British English spoken informal
to stop doing or saying something that is annoying other people:
I wish you lot would just give over!
give over doing something
Oh, give over complaining, we’re nearly there.
give something over to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. be given over to something to be used for a particular purpose:
The land surrounding the village was given over to vineyards.
The whole day was given over to cooking and preparing for the celebrations.
2. give yourself over to something to spend all your time doing something:
In his youth he had given himself over to pleasure.
3. to give responsibility for or control over something to a particular person, organization etc:
The running of internal affairs was given over to the Chancellor.
give up phrasal verb
1. give something ↔ up to stop doing something, especially something that you do regularly:
Darren has decided to give up football at the end of this season.
She gave up her job and started writing poetry.
give up doing something
I gave up going to the theatre when I moved out of London.
Why don’t you give up smoking?
2. to stop trying to do something:
We spent half an hour looking for the keys, but eventually gave up and went home.
I give up. What’s the answer?
You shouldn’t give up so easily.
give up doing something
I gave up trying to persuade him to continue with his studies.
give something ↔ up
She has still not given up the search.
The ground was too hard to dig so I gave it up as a bad job (=stopped trying because success seemed unlikely).
3. give yourself/somebody up to allow yourself or someone else to be caught by the police or enemy soldiers:
The siege ended peacefully after the gunman gave himself up.
give yourself/somebody up to
In the end, his family gave him up to the police.
4. give up something to use some of your time to do a particular thing:
I don’t mind giving up a couple of hours a week to deal with correspondence.
5. give something/somebody ↔ up to give something that is yours to someone else:
The family refused to give up any of their land.
She was put under tremendous pressure to give the baby up.
give something/somebody ↔ up to
I would always give my seat up to an elderly person on the bus.
6. give somebody ↔ up to end a romantic relationship with someone, even though you do not really want to:
I knew deep down that I should give him up.
7. give somebody up for dead/lost etc to believe that someone is dead and stop looking for them:
The ship sank and the crew were given up for dead.
8. give it up for somebody spoken informal used to ask people to applaud someone
⇨ give up the ghost at ghost1(5)
give up on somebody/something phrasal verb
to stop hoping that someone or something will change or improve:
He’d been in a coma for six months, and doctors had almost given up on him.
At that point, I hadn’t completely given up on the marriage.
give yourself up to something phrasal verb
to allow yourself to feel an emotion completely, without trying to control it:
He gave himself up to despair.
give2 noun [uncountable]
the ability of a material or substance to bend or stretch when put under pressure:
The rope has quite a bit of give in it.
| I |
verb (past tense gave /ɡeɪv/, past participle given /ˈɡɪvən/) Language: Old English
Origin: giefan
1. PRESENT OR MONEY [intransitive and transitive] to let someone have something as a present, or to provide something for someoneOrigin: giefan
give somebody something
give something to somebody
► Do not say ‘give to someone something’: He gave me a card (NOT He gave to me a card). | They gave a prize to the best chef (NOT They gave to the best chef a prize).
2. PUT SOMETHING IN SB’S HAND [transitive] to put something in someone’s hand
give somebody something
give something to somebody
3. LET SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING [transitive] to allow or make it possible for someone to do something
give somebody something
give somebody control/authority/responsibility etc
give something to somebody
4. TELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING [transitive] to tell someone information or details about something, or to tell someone what they should do:
give orders/instructions
give an account/description
5. MAKE A MOVEMENT/DO AN ACTION [transitive] to do something by making a movement with your hand, face, body etc
give a smile/laugh/grin/frown/yawn etc
give a wave/movement/signal
give something a shake/rattle/tug etc
6. SPEECH/TALK/PERFORMANCE [transitive] to make a speech, perform a piece of music etc for a group of people
give a talk/speech/lecture
give a performance/display
7. MAKE SOMEBODY HAVE A FEELING [transitive] to make someone have a feeling
give somebody something
give something to somebody
give somebody a headache/hangover
8. MAKE SOMEBODY HAVE PROBLEMS [transitive] to make someone have problems
give somebody problems/trouble/difficulties
9. MAKE SOMEBODY ILL [transitive] to infect someone with the same illness that you have
give somebody something
give something to somebody
10. ORGANIZE A SOCIAL EVENT [transitive] to organize a social event such as a party
SYN hold, put on:
11. MAKE SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING [transitive] to tell someone to do a job or piece of work
give somebody work/homework etc
12. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING HAVE A QUALITY [transitive] to make someone or something have a particular quality
SYN lend
give somebody/something sth
13. PAY FOR [transitive] to pay a particular amount of money for something:
give somebody something for something
14. BEHAVE TOWARDS [transitive] to behave towards someone in a way that shows you have a particular attitude or feeling towards them
give somebody loyalty/obedience/respect
15. PUNISHMENT [transitive] to officially say that someone must have a particular punishment
give somebody a fine/a sentence
give somebody six months/three years etc (=in prison)
16. give (somebody) an impression/a sense/an idea to make someone think about something in a particular way:
17. give something thought/attention/consideration etc (also give thought/attention/consideration etc to something) to spend some time thinking about something carefully:
18. give (somebody) a hand spoken to help someone do something:
give (somebody) a hand with
19. give somebody a call/buzz (also give somebody a ring/bell British English) informal to telephone someone:
20. give something a try/shot/whirl (also give something a go British English) informal to try to do something, especially something you have not done before:
21. give somebody time/a few weeks/all day etc to allow time for someone to do something, or for something to happen:
22. I give it six weeks/a month etc spoken used to say that you do not think something will continue successfully for very long:
23. not give something a second thought/another thought to not think or worry about something at all:
24. BE LESS STRICT [intransitive] to be willing to change what you think or do according to what else happens:
25. STATE A DECISION [transitive] British English to state what your official decision or judgement is, for example in a game:
26. GIVE A MARK/SCORE [transitive] to decide that someone should have a particular score or mark for something that they have done:
27. BEND/STRETCH [intransitive] if a material gives, it bends or stretches when you put pressure on it:
28. BREAK/MOVE [intransitive] if something gives, it breaks or moves away suddenly because of weight or pressure on it:
29. give me something (any day/time) spoken used to say that you like something much more than something else:
30. would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something spoken used when you would like something very much:
31. not give a damn/shit etc spoken not polite used to say that you do not care at all about something:
32. don’t give me that spoken used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse or explanation:
33. give somebody what for spoken to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with them:
34. give as good as you get to fight or argue with someone using the same amount of skill or force that they are using:
35. give and take informal to help other people and do things for them as well as expecting them to do things for you:
36. give or take a few minutes/a penny/a mile etc spoken used to say that the amount or figure that you have just mentioned is nearly correct, but not exactly:
37. I’ll give you that spoken used to admit that someone is right about something:
38. give somebody to understand/think/believe something formal to make someone think that a particular thing is true:
39. give it to somebody straight informal to tell someone something in a clear direct way:
40. I give you the chairman/prime minister/groom etc British English spoken used at the end of a formal speech to invite people to welcome a special guest
41. SEX [transitive] old-fashioned if a woman gives herself to a man, she has sex with him
| THESAURUS |
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▪
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▪
▪
▪
▪
■ to give something to a group of people
▪
▪
▪
give somebody/something away phrasal verb
1. to give something to someone because you do not want or need it for yourself:
give somebody/something away to
2. to give something to someone without asking for any money, rather than selling it to them:
give somebody/something away to
3. to show where someone is or what they are doing or thinking when they are trying to keep this a secret:
give yourself away
4. to tell someone something that you should keep secret:
5. to lose in a game or competition by doing something badly or making mistakes:
6. to give formal permission for a woman to marry a man as part of a traditional wedding ceremony
give something ↔ back phrasal verb
1. to give something to the person it belongs to or the person who gave it to you:
give something back to somebody
give somebody something ↔ back
2. to make it possible for someone to have or do something again
SYN restore
give somebody something ↔ back
give something back to somebody
give in phrasal verb
1. to finally agree to do or accept something that you had at first opposed, especially because someone has forced or persuaded you to:
give in to
2. to accept that you are defeated in a game, fight, competition etc ⇨ surrender:
3. give something ↔ in British English to give a piece of work or something you have written to someone in authority
SYN hand in:
give something ↔ in to
give in to something phrasal verb
to no longer try to stop yourself from doing something you want to do:
give of something phrasal verb formal
if you give of yourself, your time, your money etc, you do things for other people without expecting anything in return:
give off something phrasal verb
to produce a smell, light, heat, a sound etc:
give onto something phrasal verb
if a window, door, or building gives onto a particular place, it leads to that place or you can see that place from it:
give out phrasal verb
1. give something ↔ out to give something to each person in a group
SYN hand out:
give something ↔ out to
2. if part of your body gives out, it stops working properly or becomes much weaker:
3. if a supply of something gives out, there is none left:
4. give out something to produce something such as light, heat, or a signal
SYN emit:
5. give something ↔ out British English formal to announce something, especially officially:
give over phrasal verb British English spoken informal
to stop doing or saying something that is annoying other people:
give over doing something
give something over to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. be given over to something to be used for a particular purpose:
2. give yourself over to something to spend all your time doing something:
3. to give responsibility for or control over something to a particular person, organization etc:
give up phrasal verb
1. give something ↔ up to stop doing something, especially something that you do regularly:
give up doing something
2. to stop trying to do something:
give up doing something
give something ↔ up
3. give yourself/somebody up to allow yourself or someone else to be caught by the police or enemy soldiers:
give yourself/somebody up to
4. give up something to use some of your time to do a particular thing:
5. give something/somebody ↔ up to give something that is yours to someone else:
give something/somebody ↔ up to
6. give somebody ↔ up to end a romantic relationship with someone, even though you do not really want to:
7. give somebody up for dead/lost etc to believe that someone is dead and stop looking for them:
8. give it up for somebody spoken informal used to ask people to applaud someone
⇨ give up the ghost at ghost1(5)
give up on somebody/something phrasal verb
to stop hoping that someone or something will change or improve:
give yourself up to something phrasal verb
to allow yourself to feel an emotion completely, without trying to control it:
| II |
noun [uncountable]the ability of a material or substance to bend or stretch when put under pressure:
especially
especially in
especially