sacrifice
B2Formal, Semi-formal, Literary, Religious
Definition
Meaning
The act of giving up something valued, often for the sake of something else considered more important or worthy.
Can refer specifically to ritual killing of an animal or person as an offering to a deity; in sports/games, a strategic move involving loss for positional advantage; in economics/business, a loss incurred.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun but commonly used as a verb. Implies a conscious, voluntary act of giving up, often with a moral or emotional dimension. The 'thing given up' is usually of significant value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Consistent connotations of loss, duty, honour, or religious offering across both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in religious contexts; comparable in secular usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sacrifice something (for something/somebody)sacrifice something to do somethingbe sacrificed on the altar of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sacrifice a pawn to save a queen”
- “sacred cow (something not to be sacrificed)”
- “sacrificed at the altar of progress”
- “make the ultimate sacrifice”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to forgoing short-term profit for long-term gain, or budget cuts. 'The merger required significant financial sacrifice.'
Academic
Used in sociology, history, and religious studies to discuss ritual practices or social dynamics. 'The study examined the role of animal sacrifice in ancient cultures.'
Everyday
Describes giving up personal time, comfort, or resources for family, goals, or others. 'Parents make many sacrifices for their children.'
Technical
In chess/baseball, a deliberate loss of a piece/out for strategic advantage. 'He executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He had to sacrifice his holiday to meet the project deadline.
- The manager was unwilling to sacrifice quality for speed.
American English
- She sacrificed her personal time to volunteer at the shelter.
- The coach told him to sacrifice bunt to move the runner over.
adverb
British English
- She smiled sacrificially, knowing her own dreams were deferred.
- He worked sacrificially long hours for the cause.
American English
- They gave sacrificially to the charity drive.
- He lived sacrificially, owning very few possessions.
adjective
British English
- The sacrifice fly allowed the runner to score from third.
- They lived in sacrifice accommodation during the war.
American English
- His sacrifice hit won the game for the team.
- The priest prepared the sacrifice lamb for the ritual.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Parents often make sacrifices for their children.
- The hero made a big sacrifice to save his friend.
- Moving abroad meant she had to sacrifice seeing her family regularly.
- They were willing to sacrifice some comfort to save money for a house.
- The success of the business was built on the personal sacrifices of its founders.
- In many ancient religions, animal sacrifice was a common ritual practice.
- The policy was widely criticized as sacrificing environmental protections on the altar of economic growth.
- Her artistic integrity remained uncompromised; she refused to sacrifice her vision for commercial appeal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SACRIFICE = SACRED + PRICE. Think: paying a sacred price for something important.
Conceptual Metaphor
SACRIFICE IS A TRANSACTION (giving up X to gain Y); SACRIFICE IS AN OFFERING (to a higher cause); SACRIFICE IS A BURDEN (carried for others).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'жертва' which can mean 'victim'. 'Sacrifice' implies agency; 'жертва' can be passive. 'He was a victim of crime' is NOT 'He was a sacrifice of crime.'
- The verb 'to sacrifice' is not always directly translatable as 'пожертвовать' in financial contexts; 'forgo' or 'give up' might be closer.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'sacrifice for' not 'sacrifice to' (when referring to purpose). Correct: 'She sacrificed her career for her family.'
- Using as a synonym for 'kill' without the connotation of offering or higher purpose. Not: 'He sacrificed the mosquito.'
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'sacrifice' most commonly implies:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While it involves a loss, it is often viewed positively as an act of generosity, duty, love, or smart strategy, where the benefits outweigh the costs.
Yes, especially as a noun ('He made a sacrifice.'). As a verb, it usually requires an object (sacrifice *something*), but the object can be implied from context.
'Sacrifice' implies giving up something entirely, often unilaterally. 'Compromise' involves mutual concessions from two or more parties to reach an agreement.
It describes a deliberate, tactical loss to gain an advantage. In baseball, a 'sacrifice bunt' or 'sacrifice fly' gives up an out to advance a runner. In chess, sacrificing a piece can create a winning position.