List of common collocations and idioms with "give" with examples of sentences. Sentences can be formed "as a verb and noun" or used as "idioms."
Collocations and Idioms with "give"
Here are some collocations and idioms of "give" with meanings and examples:
1. Give a call (a ring, a buzz): Literally, to make a call (ring)
- "Give me a call to let me know you’ve arrived safely."
2. Give (someone or something) a chance
A: To allow or grant someone the opportunity to do something.
- "If you would just give me a chance, I know I would be a great asset to the company."
B: To take time to try or get to know someone or something before dismissing them or it; to give someone or something a fair and thorough consideration before making a judgment.
- "Come on, give Matt a chance—he's really a nice guy."
3. Give a choice: Literally, to give a choice.
- "I was given no choice; I had to go to the boring lecture."
3. Give a damn (about someone or something): To care deeply about or be especially interested in someone or something.
- "I'm here because I give a damn. I want you to succeed."
4. Give (someone or something) a hand
A: To help someone with something.
- "I hope that someone will give me a hand with these bags—there's no way I'll make it to the fifth floor on my own!"
B: To applaud someone or something.
- "Wasn't that a great performance? Let's give them a hand, ladies and gentlemen!"
5. Give a headache: Literally, to cause a headache.
- "The noise was giving her a headache."
6. Give a hug or kiss: Literally, to give a hug or a kiss.
- "Come here and give me a hug!"
7. Give a lecture or speech or performance: Literally, for a lecture, speech, or performance.
- "The president will give a long speech."
8. Give a ride: Literally, to take a trip.
- "I've got to get into town. Can you give me a ride?"
9. Give an advice: Literally, to give advice.
- We are here to give people advice about health issues.
10. Give an example: Literally, to give an example.
- "Sam gave Iceland as an example of a cold country."
11. Give an idea: Literally, to give an idea.
- "He gave an idea for new project so he got a promotion."
12. Give an opinion: Literally, to express an opinion.
- "He didn’t give an opinion on the matter."
13. Give (someone) credit
A: To give someone praise or recognition.
- "We must give Samantha credit for getting the project finished on time."
B: To grant or extend financial credit to someone.
- "The shop gave us credit for the faulty television we bought last week."
14. Give notice
A: To inform one's employer of one's resignation. In this usage, a possessive pronoun is often used between "give" and "notice."
- "I just gave my notice, so I'm officially leaving in two weeks."
B: To alert one to something.
- "I think your teacher would have been more understanding if you had given notice of this printing issue in advance."
15. Give permission: Literally, to give permission.
- "The city authorities gave permission for the rally to take place."
16. Give priority: Literally, to give priority.
- "They must also give priority to looked after children in care."
17. Give rise to (something): To trigger or cause the genesis or growth of something.
- "The technological advances gave rise to the Industrial Revolution."
18. Give (one) a call: To call one on a phone or via another calling platform.
- "Let me give her a call and see what she thinks about all this."
19. Give (someone or something) a chance
A: To allow or grant someone the opportunity to do something.
- "If you would just give me a chance, I know I would be a great asset to the company."
B: To take time to try or get to know someone or something before dismissing them or it; to give someone or something a fair and thorough consideration before making a judgment.
- "Come on, give Matt a chance—he's really a nice guy."
20. Give the impression: Literally, to make an impression.
- His body did not give the impression of age.
21. Give (someone) the third degree: To interrogate, scrutinize, or question someone intensely or thoroughly.
- My boyfriend is so controlling, always giving me the third degree if I go anywhere or see anyone without him.
22. Give (something) back (to someone) with interest: To return something to someone with more than they originally gave. Although often applied to monetary exchanges, the phrase can be used more broadly.
- "When my parents loaned me money, I promised to give it back to them with interest."
23. Give (someone) fits: To cause someone to become upset, angry, or extremely annoyed.
- "It gives me fits when I see cyclists weaving in and out of traffic like that!"
24. Give (someone) a blank look: To look at someone with a facial expression with no emotional articulation, usually implying befuddlement, incomprehension, or being overwhelmed by something.
- "I tried to explain to him why what he did was wrong, but he just sat there, giving me a blank look."
25. Give a lead: To do something so that others will do it too.
- "The kids would probably understand what you want them to do if you gave a lead on it first."
26. Give (one) a blank check
A: Literally, to give one a check with the amount left blank, so that it can be written out for the desired total.
- "Mom, can you give me a blank check so I can fill it out when I buy my school supplies?"
B: By extension, to give one the freedom or permission to take any action in pursuit of a desire or goal (especially spending as much money or using as much resources as needed).
- "The company was having a difficult time retaining good employees so the CEO gave the manager a blank check to increase salaries and restructure his department."
27. Give a wide berth to (someone or something)
A: To maintain a good distance from someone or something. Originally referred to ships.
- "Once I learned that there was a lice outbreak, I gave a wide berth to all of my students for the rest of the day."
B: By extension, to avoid interacting or dealing with someone or something.
- "The government has given a wide berth to the cyber security company ever since its data breach became public knowledge."
28. Give forth with (something): To utter or say something.
- "I gave forth with a cry when I stubbed my toe."
29. Give (one) some skin: To slap hands with one in an amicable fashion; to give oe five. Hey man, what's up? Give me some skin! Slang
- Hey man, what's up? Give me some skin!"
References