give

I [[t]gɪ̱v[/t]] USED WITH NOUNS DESCRIBING ACTIONS

♦

gives, giving, gave, given

1) VERB: no cont You can use give with nouns that refer to physical actions. The whole expression refers to the performing of the action. For example, She gave a smile means almost the same as `She smiled'.

[V n] She stretched her arms out and gave a great yawn...

[V n] Giving a sigh, she fell to her knees at my feet...

[V n n] He gave her a fond smile...

[V n n] He reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

2) VERB You use give to say that a person does something for another person. For example, if you give someone a lift, you take them somewhere in your car.

[V n n] I gave her a lift back out to her house...

[V n n] He was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation...

[V n] Sophie asked her if she would like to come and give art lessons.

3) VERB You use give with nouns that refer to information, opinions, or greetings to indicate that something is communicated. For example, if you give someone some news, you tell it to them.

[V n] He gave no details...

[V n n] Would you like to give me your name?...

[V n to n] He asked me to give his regards to all of you...

[V n as n] He gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.

4) VERB You use give to say how long you think something will last or how much you think something will be.

[V n n] A BBC poll gave the Labour Party a 12 per cent lead...

[V n n] Ted and his lawyers gave the company 11 months to sell off everything.

5) VERB: no cont, no passive, with brd-neg (feelings) People use give in expressions such as I don't give a damn to show that they do not care about something. [INFORMAL]

[V n] They don't give a damn about the country.

6) VERB If someone or something gives you a particular idea or impression, it causes you to have that idea or impression.

[V n n] They gave me the impression that they were doing exactly what they wanted in life...

[V n] The examiner's final report does not give an accurate picture.

7) VERB If someone or something gives you a particular physical or emotional feeling, it makes you experience it.

[V n n] He gave me a shock...

[V n to n] It will give great pleasure to the many thousands of children who visit the hospital each year. [Also V n]

8) VERB If you give a performance or speech, you perform or speak in public.

[V n] Kotto gives a stupendous performance...

[V n n] I am sure you remember Mrs Butler who gave us such an interesting talk last year.

9) VERB If you give something thought or attention, you think about it, concentrate on it, or deal with it.

[V n n] I've been giving it some thought...

[V n to n/-ing] Priority will be given to those who apply early.

10) VERB If you give a party or other social event, you organize it.

[V n] That evening, I gave a dinner party for a few close friends.

Syn:

have

II [[t]gɪ̱v[/t]] TRANSFERRING

♦

gives, giving, gave, given

1) VERB If you give someone something that you own or have bought, you provide them with it, so that they have it or can use it.

[V n n] They gave us T-shirts and stickers...

[V n to n] He gave money to the World Health Organisation to help defeat smallpox...

[V n to n] This recipe was given to me years ago by a farmer's wife...

[V to n] Americans are still giving to charity despite hard economic times.

2) VERB If you give someone something that you are holding or that is near you, you pass it to them, so that they are then holding it.

[V n n] Give me that pencil...

[V n to n] He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to him.

3) VERB To give someone or something a particular power or right means to allow them to have it.

[V n to n] ...a citizen's charter giving rights to gays...

[V n n] The draft would give the president the power to appoint the central bank's chairman.

Syn:

grant

III [[t]gɪ̱v[/t]] OTHER USES, PHRASES, AND PHRASAL VERBS

♦

gives, giving, gave, given

(Please look at category 10 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)

1) VERB If something gives, it collapses or breaks under pressure.

My knees gave under me.

2) V-PASSIVE (vagueness) You say that you are given to understand or believe that something is the case when you do not want to say how you found out about it, or who told you. [FORMAL]

[be V-ed to-inf] We were given to understand that he was ill...

[be V-ed to-inf] He has been given to believe that there may be a future for him and Maria together.

3) → See also given

4) PHRASE: Vs inflect If someone gives as good as they get, they fight or argue as well as the person they are fighting or arguing with. [mainly BRIT]

For the first time in 12 years, the Democrats are giving as good as they get.

5) PHRASE: usu PHR to-inf (emphasis) You use give in phrases such as I'd give anything, I'd give my right arm, and what wouldn't I give to emphasize that you are very eager to do or have something.

I'd give anything to be like you.

6) PHRASE: PHR n You use give me to say that you would rather have one thing than another, especially when you have just mentioned the thing that you do not want.

I've never had anything barbecued and I don't want it. Give me a good roast dinner any day.

7) PHRASE If you say that something requires give and take, you mean that people must compromise or co-operate for it to be successful.

...a happy relationship where there's a lot of give and take.

8) PHRASE: PHR amount Give or take is used to indicate that an amount is approximate. For example, if you say that something is fifty years old, give or take a few years, you mean that it is approximately fifty years old.

They grow to a height of 12 ins - give or take a couple of inches.

9) PHRASE: cl PHR You say I'll give you that to indicate that you admit that someone has a particular characteristic or ability.

You're a bright enough kid, I'll give you that.

10) to give the game away → see game

to give up the ghost → see ghost

to give someone hell → see hell

to give something up as a bad job → see job

to give your life → see life

to give notice → see notice

to give rise to → see rise

to give way → see way

Phrasal Verbs:

- give away

- give back

- give in

- give off

- give out

- give out

- give over

- give over to

- give up to

- give up

- give up on

- give up to