give in
B1Neutral to informal. Common in everyday speech and writing.
Definition
Meaning
To stop resisting something; to surrender, yield, or submit, especially after a period of resistance.
To reluctantly agree to something or accept something you previously opposed. Can also mean to hand in or submit something (e.g., homework, a report).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The 'surrender' sense is intransitive. The 'submit work' sense is transitive (give in your homework). Often implies reluctance or exhaustion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it identically for the 'surrender/yield' meaning. The 'submit work' sense (give in your essay) is more common in British English; American English often uses 'hand in' or 'turn in'.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes defeat, exhaustion, or reluctant acceptance.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to the additional 'submit work' usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] give in[Subject] give in to [noun phrase][Subject] give [object] in (to [person])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't give in without a fight.”
- “To give in is to die a little.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The management finally gave in to the union's pay demands.
Academic
The researcher refused to give in to prevailing theories without further evidence.
Everyday
I gave in and let the kids have ice cream before dinner.
Technical
The material will give in under extreme tensile stress.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must give in your coursework by Friday.
- After hours of arguing, he finally gave in.
American English
- You need to turn in your assignment by Friday.
- After hours of arguing, he finally gave in.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child cried until his mother gave in and bought the toy.
- Please give in your forms to the teacher.
- Don't give in to peer pressure to do something dangerous.
- The government gave in and agreed to lower the taxes.
- Despite the intense media scrutiny, the minister refused to give in and resign.
- The besieged city held out for months before finally giving in.
- The negotiators were instructed not to give in on any of the core principles, regardless of the concessions offered.
- He viewed any compromise as a form of giving in, which to him was tantamount to failure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a boxer 'giving' his glove to the referee 'in' the centre of the ring as a sign of surrender.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT/STRUGGLE IS WAR (surrender, yield, give up ground). RESISTANCE IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER (the barrier collapses/gives in).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'давать в'.
- Do not confuse with 'give up' (which is broader, can mean 'quit a habit'). 'Give in' is specifically about yielding to pressure or persuasion.
- The transitive 'give in your work' can be confused with просто 'give'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *He gave in his resignation letter. (Use 'handed in').
- Incorrect: *I will not give in smoking. (Use 'give up').
- Incorrect preposition: *She gave in his requests. (Correct: gave in TO his requests).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'give in' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Give in' means to yield or surrender to pressure or persuasion from an external force. 'Give up' is broader: it means to stop trying (give up on a task), to quit a habit (give up smoking), or to surrender something (give up your seat).
It is neutral but more common in everyday speech. In very formal writing, synonyms like 'capitulate', 'accede', or 'succumb' might be preferred.
Yes, but mainly in British English with the meaning 'to hand in' (e.g., 'give in your homework'). In the 'surrender' sense, it is intransitive and requires 'to' (give in TO someone/something).
Common opposites include 'resist', 'hold out', 'stand firm', 'persist', and 'defy'.