give up

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.

   Synonyms: surrender, yield

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

   They gave up the search when it got dark.

   Synonyms: blin, cease, discontinue

3. (transitive) To relinquish (something)

   He gave up his seat to an old man.

   • 1816, Jane Austen, chapter 7, in Emma, volume 1:

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

   Synonyms: forlend, surrender, yield

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.

   Synonyms: desert, forlet, forsake

6. (intransitive) To admit defeat, capitulate

   OK, I give up, you win.

   Synonyms: capitulate, surrender, wave the white flag

7. Become fully took over by a certain quality, activity, trait, &c.
   • 1800's Mary Woody A True Account of Nayomy Wise

     She seems give up to sin
     Too much neglecting grace within

• don't give up your day job

• upgive