give away

British  

verb

1. to donate or bestow as a gift, prize, etc

2. to sell very cheaply

3. to reveal or betray (esp in the phrases give the game or show away )

4. to fail to use (an opportunity) through folly or neglect

5. to present (a bride) formally to her husband in a marriage ceremony

6. informal to give up or abandon (something)

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noun

1. a betrayal or disclosure of information, esp when unintentional

2. something given, esp with articles on sale, at little or no charge to increase sales, attract publicity, etc

3. journalism another name for freesheet

4. a radio or television programme characterized by the award of money and prizes

5. (modifier)

   1. very cheap (esp in the phrase giveaway prices )

   2. free of charge

      a giveaway property magazine

give away Idioms  

1. Make a gift of, bestow, as in I decided to give away all my plants . [c. 1400]

2. Present a bride to the groom in a marriage ceremony, as in Her father gave Karen away . [c. 1700]

3. Reveal or make something known, often unintentionally; also, betray or expose someone. For example, She gave away her true feelings , or He gave away his accomplices . This idiom is sometimes put as give oneself away , as in If you don't want the family to know about your gambling, don't give yourself away by spending your winnings . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

"It covers when the ball is unexpectedly hit at you by a team-mate, even if your arm is away from your body - the law says you should not give away a penalty," said Johnson.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Don’t give away your husband’s retirement fund before you know what might happen next.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Buy Nothing Project, a public benefit corporation, reports having 14 million members across more than 50 countries who give away 2.6 million items a month.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

"The United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia... for no reason whatsover," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Boys don't joke about them much, in case we give away how little we know.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

• devote
• donate
• hand out