ɡɪv aʊt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- give
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "give out" mean?
- To distribute something to multiple people
- To stop working or functioning (of machines, body parts)
- To become exhausted or depleted
- To emit or produce (light, sound, heat)
Examples
- The teacher gave out the test papers to all the students.
- My legs gave out after running the marathon.
- The car engine finally gave out after 300,000 kilometers.
- The lamp gives out a warm, soft light.
- We're giving out flyers for the community event this Saturday.
How to use it
Has two main meanings: distribution (active) and failure/exhaustion (of things or body parts). Context makes the meaning clear.
Word order
Separable when distributing: 'give something out' or 'give out something'
Similar expressions
distribute
hand out
fail
break down
emit
Opposites
collect
gather
function
work
Related phrasal verbs
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- give away
To give something to someone for free
- give in
To finally agree to something after refusing or resisting
- give back
To return something to its owner
- give off
To emit or produce something (smell, heat, light, radiation)
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
Use it in a practice answer
Try "give out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.