Give up doing sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use Correctly

What Does “Give up doing sth” Mean?

“Give up doing sth” means to stop doing an activity or habit, usually because it is difficult, harmful, or no longer enjoyable.

Introduction

The phrase “give up doing sth” is a common English expression used to describe quitting or stopping an action. The “sth” stands for “something,” which means you replace it with the specific activity you want to talk about. Understanding the give up doing sth meaning helps learners express when they decide to stop a habit, activity, or behavior. For example, you might say, “I gave up smoking” or “She gave up playing tennis.” This phrase is useful in both casual and formal conversations, and it often implies a permanent or long-term decision to stop doing something.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: give up doing something
• Type: transitive
• Level: A2–B2
• Short meaning: to stop doing an activity or habit

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Give up” is a phrasal verb that is inseparable when followed by a verb ending in -ing (gerund). You cannot separate “give up” and the verb. The common structure is:

• Subject + give up + verb-ing (gerund)
• Example: She gave up smoking.

Note that you cannot say “give something up doing” or “give up to do.” Always use “give up” followed by the gerund form of the verb.

How to Use “Give up doing sth”?

This phrase is used when someone stops an activity or habit, often after trying or deciding it is not beneficial. It is commonly used with habits like smoking, drinking, or activities like playing sports or studying a subject. It can express a decision made for health, time, or personal reasons.

Use “give up” + verb-ing to talk about quitting an action, for example:

• “He gave up eating junk food to improve his health.”
• “I had to give up working late because it was too tiring.”

Examples

Here are some natural examples using “give up doing sth” in sentences:

• After many attempts, Maria gave up learning French because it was too difficult.
• John gave up playing football after his injury.
• Many people give up smoking to live a healthier life.
• She gave up trying to fix the old computer and bought a new one.
• We decided to give up watching TV and read more books instead.

Common Mistakes

It’s easy to make mistakes when using “give up doing sth.” Here are some incorrect and correct examples to help you:

• Incorrect: He gave up to smoke.
• Correct: He gave up smoking.
• Incorrect: She gave up do exercise.
• Correct: She gave up doing exercise.
• Incorrect: I gave up it.
• Correct: I gave it up. (When “give up” is followed by a noun, the object can come between “give” and “up.”)

Differences / Synonyms

Other phrases can be similar to “give up doing sth,” but they have slight differences. For example, “stop doing sth” means to cease an activity but can be temporary or permanent. “Quit doing sth” is very close in meaning and often used in American English.

• Give up doing sth: stop completely, often after trying hard.
• Stop doing sth: can be permanent or temporary.
• Quit doing sth: similar to give up, more informal.

Example: “She gave up smoking” vs. “She stopped smoking” — both mean she no longer smokes, but “gave up” often suggests a decision after effort.

Common Collocations

“Give up” is often used with common activities or habits. Here are some popular collocations:

• Give up smoking – stop smoking cigarettes
• Give up drinking – stop consuming alcohol
• Give up trying – stop making efforts
• Give up playing – stop playing a sport or instrument
• Give up working – stop working, often due to retirement or exhaustion

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of give up doing sth:

• Give Sb Over To Sb
• Give Sb Up For Dead
• Give Sth Away
• Give Yourself Away
• Give Off Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “give up doing sth”:

Anna: I’ve been trying to learn the guitar, but it’s so hard.

Ben: Don’t give up doing it! Practice makes perfect.

Anna: I might give up playing if I don’t improve soon.

Ben: Just keep trying. Maybe try some lessons.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences using the correct form of “give up doing sth”:

1. She decided to _______ (smoke) for health reasons.
2. He gave up _______ (play) basketball after his injury.
3. We should never _______ (try) to learn new things.
4. They gave up _______ (watch) TV to spend more time together.

FAQs

• Q: Can I say “give up to do something”? A: No, always use “give up” + verb-ing, not the infinitive.
• Q: Is “give up doing sth” formal language? A: It is common in both formal and informal English.
• Q: Can “give up” be separated by an object? A: Yes, but only when followed by a noun, e.g., “give it up.”
• Q: What is the difference between “give up” and “quit”? A: They are similar, but “quit” is more informal and common in American English.
• Q: Can “give up” be used for temporary stopping? A: Usually it implies stopping permanently, but context matters.