give up on (someone or something)

idiom

1
: to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone)
He has gotten in trouble many times, but his parents have never given up on him.
Please don't give up on me. I promise I'll do better.
2
: to stop having hope of seeing (someone)
We'd given up on you hours ago!
3
: to stop trying to do or achieve (something)
They have given up on their plan to build a new factory.
She hasn't given up on trying to convince her husband to buy a new car.

Examples of give up on (someone or something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He's made just 20 starts at the NFL level, and the Panthers aren't ready to give up on him just yet. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Cicirelli’s letter also said the city hasn’t had an agreement with the foundation in more than a decade and recently decided to give up on a new one. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 Slides Still not ready to give up on the ease of a sandal? Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 The doctor decided to give up on getting an approval for the catheter exam. T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for give up on (someone or something) 

Dictionary Entries Near give up on (someone or something)

give up

give up on (someone or something)

give vent to

Cite this Entry

“Give up on (someone or something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20up%20on%20%28someone%20or%20something%29. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!