Idioms including the verb GIVE

Idioms: Image source: practicaringlesgratis.com give a good account of (oneself) To behave or perform creditably. give birth to 1. To bear as offspring. 2. To be the origin of: a hobby that gave birth to a successful business. give ground To yield to a more powerful force; retreat. give it to Informal To punish or reprimand severely: My parents really gave it to me for coming in late. give or take Plus or minus a small specified amount: The chalet is close to the road, give or take a few hundred yards. give rise to To be the cause or origin of; bring about. give (someone) a hard time 1. To make life difficult for; harass. 2. To make fun of; tease. give (someone) the eye To look at admiringly or invitingly. give the lie to 1. To show to be inaccurate or untrue. 2. To accuse of lying. give up the ghost To cease living or functioning; die. give way 1. a. To retreat or withdraw. b. To yield the right of way: gave way to an oncoming car. c. To relinquish ascendancy or position: as day gives way slowly to night. 2. a. To collapse from or as if from physical pressure: The ladder gave way. b. To yield to urging or demand; give in. 3. To abandon oneself: give way to hysteria. [Middle English given, from Old English giefan and Old Norse gefa; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reser