What Does “Give sth away” Mean?
“Give sth away” means to freely offer or donate something to someone else. It can also mean revealing a secret or information unintentionally.
Introduction
The phrase “Give sth away” is a common phrasal verb in English. It has two main meanings: giving something for free to another person, or accidentally revealing information or secrets. Understanding the “Give sth away meaning” helps learners use this phrase naturally in daily conversations. Whether you’re talking about giving clothes to charity or letting a secret slip, this phrasal verb is very useful. In this article, you will find clear explanations, examples, and tips on how to use “Give sth away” correctly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Give something away
- Type: Transitive
- Level: A2 – B2
- Short meaning: To give something for free or reveal a secret
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Give sth away” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object (something) can come between “give” and “away” or after “away.”
- Give something away (correct): She gave the old books away.
- Give away something (correct but less common): She gave away the old books.
- Give away (without object) is incorrect in this context.
How to Use “Give sth away”?
You use “Give sth away” when you want to talk about giving items to others for free, such as clothes, money, or gifts. It is also used when someone reveals information or a secret without intending to.
For example, you might say, “I gave my old jacket away to a friend,” or “He gave away the surprise by accident.”
Examples
Imagine you want to clean your room and don’t need your old toys anymore. You can say:
- I decided to give my toys away to the charity shop.
- She gave away her concert tickets because she couldn’t go.
- Don’t give away the ending of the movie!
- He gave away the secret without realizing it.
- They gave away free samples at the store.
These examples show both meanings of “Give sth away in a sentence.”
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly without an object. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Incorrect: I gave away. (Missing object)
- Correct: I gave the old clothes away.
- Incorrect: She gave away the secret. (This is correct, but if you want emphasis, you can say “gave the secret away.”)
Remember, “give sth away” needs an object (something) to be complete.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “hand sth out” and “pass sth on.” However, “Give sth away” often implies giving something for free or accidentally revealing information.
- Hand sth out: To distribute items to a group, usually formally (e.g., hand out flyers).
- Pass sth on: To give something to another person, often information or objects.
- Give sth away: To give free of charge or reveal a secret accidentally.
Choose “give away” when you mean free donation or unintentional revealing.
Common Collocations
“Give sth away” is often used with these common objects:
- Give clothes away: Donate clothes for free.
- Give money away: Donate money.
- Give secrets away: Reveal secrets unintentionally.
- Give tickets away: Offer tickets for free.
- Give information away: Reveal information.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of give sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Give sth away”:
Anna: I’m cleaning out my closet. Do you want some old clothes?
Ben: Sure! Are you giving them away?
Anna: Yes, I don’t need them anymore.
Ben: Thanks! Also, don’t give away the surprise party plans!
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “give away”:
- She decided to _______ her old books to the library.
- Be careful not to _______ the secret before the party.
- They _______ free samples at the event yesterday.
- He accidentally _______ the ending of the movie.
- I want to _______ my old phone to my cousin.
FAQs
- Q: Can “give away” be used without an object?
A: No, it usually needs an object like something you give away. - Q: What is the difference between “give away” and “throw away”?
A: “Give away” means to donate or offer for free, while “throw away” means to discard as trash. - Q: Is “give away” formal or informal?
A: It is common in both formal and informal English. - Q: Can “give away” mean revealing a secret?
A: Yes, it can mean accidentally telling a secret. - Q: How do I use “give away” in the past tense?
A: Use “gave away,” for example, “She gave away her old clothes.”
