Meaning
- To provide something to someone for free.
- To reveal a secret or hidden information.
- To betray someone or expose them to capture.
- To lose an advantage or point through carelessness (often in sports).
- To present a bride to her partner during a wedding ceremony.
Today's Sentences
01
I won’t give away any more hints.
Situation
Why are you smiling like that?
I bought a gift for your birthday.
You’re terrible at keeping secrets.
I can’t help it.
I won’t give away any more hints.
02
I decided to give it away.
Situation
What happened to your old guitar?
It was just collecting dust.
Did you give it to someone?
You could’ve sold it.
I decided to give it away to a kid who loves music.
Writer's Note
"Give away" is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. Let’s go over the breakdown together.
- Transitive - A transitive phrasal verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning.
Structure: "Verb + Particle + Object"
Example 1: Her expression gave away the surprise.
Example 2: She gave away the clothes she no longer wore.
Example 3: They gave away food at the community event. - Separable - A separable phrasal verb allows the object to appear between the verb and particle or after the particle.
Structure: "Verb + Object + Particle"
Example 1: He gave the tickets away to friends.
Example 2: He almost gave the plan away by mistake.
Example 3: The accent gave her background away.
*Exception to the rule*:
Pronouns must go between the verb and particle:
✅ give it away
❌ give away it
Related words: Betray, donate, divulge, hand out, part with, reveal, surrender.
