To stop making an effort to do something because it is too difficult or seems impossible.
After several failed attempts, she decided to give up learning the guitar.
A: This puzzle is so hard! B: Don't give up yet—you’re almost there.
I used to find English listening exercises very difficult, but I didn’t give up. I kept practicing until I improved.
Common mistake
✗Don't give up to try.
✓Don't give up. / Don't stop trying.
'Give up' is usually used alone or with -ing; 'give up to try' is not English.
Tell it apart
I gave up after three tries.
stopped trying — defeat
I gave up chocolate for a month.
quit a habit on purpose
Use 'give up' when you stop trying to achieve something, especially after repeated attempts.Not the same as 'give in', which means to finally agree to something after resisting.
To stop doing something that you do regularly, especially something unhealthy or unwanted.
He gave up smoking last year and feels much healthier now.
A: Are you still drinking coffee every morning? B: No, I gave it up a few months ago.
Many people try to give up unhealthy habits, but it can be very challenging without support.
Common mistake
✗I gave up to smoke.
✓I gave up smoking.
'Give up' + -ing for a habit, not a to-infinitive.
Tell it apart
I gave up smoking.
quit a habit — a good thing
I gave up halfway through.
stopped trying — couldn't finish
Use 'give up' to talk about stopping a habit, like smoking or eating junk food.Different from 'cut down on', which means to do something less often, not stop completely.
To formally surrender oneself or someone else to the police or another authority, often after being sought or pursued.
After weeks on the run, the suspect finally gave himself up to the police.
A: Did they ever catch the hacker? B: No, but he gave himself up last night after realising he had no way out.
In some cases, fugitives choose to give themselves up rather than face the stress of constant pursuit.
Common mistake
✗He gave up to the police.
✓He gave himself up to the police.
This sense needs a reflexive object: 'give yourself/himself up'. Bare 'give up' means quit.
Tell it apart
He gave himself up after a week on the run.
surrendered to police
He gave up smoking last year.
quit
'Give up' in this sense is used when someone hands themselves or another person over to the police or authorities, typically in a legal or criminal context. It is more formal and specific than simply 'stop trying.'Unlike the B1 senses ('stop trying' or 'quit a habit'), this sense involves surrendering to an authority, not ceasing an effort or habit.