SpeakUp

Meaning trap

give in

submit work

To hand something (such as an assignment, report, or official document) to someone in authority, especially as required or expected.

phrasal verbC1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

submit work

To hand something (such as an assignment, report, or official document) to someone in authority, especially as required or expected.

give in (agree reluctantly)

'give in' also has the more basic meaning 'agree reluctantly'; this is the advanced sense.

View meaning map

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Please give in your completed forms to the front desk by Friday.education
  • Candidates are required to give in their answer sheets before leaving the examination hall.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: give in + noun (e.g., give in your essay/report/assignment)

WrongI need to give in to my report tomorrow.

RightI need to give in my report tomorrow.

This 'give in' (submit) takes no 'to' — 'give in TO' means yield to pressure, a different meaning.

Patterngive in + noun (e.g., give in your essay/report/assignment)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Please submit your assignment to the instructor by Friday.

Natural You need to give your essay in by Friday.

In British schools you 'give in' or 'hand in' work; 'submit to the instructor' is formal/American-academic.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • give in + work
    your homeworkthe essayan assignmentlate

Don't confuse it

Unlike the B1 sense ('agree reluctantly' or 'surrender'), this sense is about physically submitting something required, not about giving up in an argument or negotiation.

Try it in Daily Speak →