[give up] {v.}
1a. To stop trying to keep; surrender; yield.
* /The dog had the ball in his mouth and wouldn't give it up./* /Jimmy is giving up his job as a newsboy when he goes back to school./
Compare: GIVE ONESELF UP, HAND OVER, LET GO(1a). Contrast: HOLD ON TO. 1b. To allow; permit.
* /Ford gave up two walks in the first inning./
2. To stop doing or having; abandon; quit.
* /The doctor told Mr. Harris to give up smoking./* /Jane hated to give up her friends when she moved away./
Compare: LEAVE OFF, PART WITH. 3. To stop hoping for, waiting for, or trying to do.
* /Johnny was given up by the doctors after the accident, but he lived just the same./* /When Mary didn't come by nine o'clock, we gave her up./* /I couldn't do the puzzle so I gave it up./
4. To stop trying; quit; surrender.
* /The war will be over when one of the countries gives up./* /The other team gave up after we scored three touchdowns./
Compare: GIVE IN(2), RESIGN ONESELF, THROW IN THE SPONGE.
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