Difference Between Give Up and Give In

Main Difference – Give Up vs Give In

The two phrasal verbs give up and give in can be roughly defined as the act of admitting defeat. However, there is a slight difference between the two. Give up means to cease making an effort or to surrender whereas give in means to yield under insistence or entreaty. This is the main difference between give up and give in.

In this article, we’ll look at,

1. What Does Give Up Mean? – Meaning, Usage, and Examples of the verb Give Up

2. What Does Give In Mean? – Meaning, Usage, and Examples of the verb Give In

3. Difference Between Give Up and Give In

What Does Give Up Mean

The phrasal verb give up have several different meanings. Give up generally mean to stop doing something that you have been doing for some time. You might also give up something if you realize that it’s not going to be a success. It is imperative to look at some of the meanings of this phrasal verb in order to understand its usage.

To cease making an effort

He gave up writing his novel.

After months of trying, he finally gave up.

To lose hope for

We have given up the child up as lost.

They had almost given up on him when she arrived.

To stop doing something that has been a habit

I gave up smoking two months ago.

She gave up taking sugar in tea.

To devote something to a particular purpose

I will give up everything to save his life.

He gave up all his time for this project.

What Does Give In Mean

The phrasal verb give in basically has two meanings:

To hand in or submit

I gave in my resignation yesterday.

She gave in her report.

In this meaning, give in acts as a transitive verb.

To cease opposition or yield

He finally gave into their demands.

The police have to give in to the hostage takers’ demands.

After hours of begging and pleading, her mother finally gave in and let them go to the cinema.

Here, give in acts as an intransitive verb.

She didn’t give into peer pressure.