give away
/ˌɡɪv əˈweɪ/
Reviewed on
Type
Phrasal verb
Meaning
To present something to someone as a gift or without asking for payment.
They decided to give away their extra furniture before moving into the smaller apartment.
How many sample bottles did the company give away at the conference?
To reveal a secret, surprise, or hidden intention, often unintentionally.
He tried to keep the party a secret, but a slip of the tongue gave it away.
Do not give away the ending of the movie before your sister watches it.
To betray someone's true identity, feelings, or location through an unintentional sign.
Her trembling hands gave away her anxiety despite her calm tone of voice.
Was his nervous smile enough to give him away to the detectives?
To formally accompany a bride down the aisle and present her in marriage.
Her older brother agreed to give away the bride during the ceremony.
Who will give her away at the wedding tomorrow?
How it's used
Both orders mean the same thing.
- give away the items
- give the items away
it and them go in the middle: “give them away.” Not “give away them.”
They gave away the old books.
Collocations
- give away free samples
- give away tickets
- give away a secret
- give away the ending
- give away the plot
- give away the bride
Idioms
give the game away
reveal an intention or plan unintentionally
His sudden grin gave the game away before the prank even started.
give away the store
concede too much in a negotiation
The committee warned the negotiators not to give away the store during talks.