Meaning trap
give out
stop working
to stop working or functioning, usually because of being old or used too much.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to stop working or functioning, usually because of being old or used too much.
Another meaning of 'give out' is 'distribute'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- My phone finally gave out after years of use.health
- During the hike, my old backpack gave out and the straps broke, so I had to carry everything by hand.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: give out
WrongMy phone gave out of battery.
RightMy phone died. / My phone ran out of battery.
'Give out' = fail from wear (engine, knees, voice). For a battery or supply ending, use 'run out' or 'die'.
Patterngive out
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
For a body part or machine failing from strain, natives say 'give out'. 'Ceased to function' is robotic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
give outmy legsthe engineher voicethe old boiler
Don't confuse it
'Give out' (stop working) is not the same as 'run out', which means to have nothing left.
Related
- give out (distribute) — Another meaning of 'give out' is 'distribute'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.