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
Episode 13: As the night shift begins, Robby refuses to give up on a mass casualty victim.
—
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Lululemon delivered a softer guide but do not give up on this.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
Democrats in the Senate are not going to roll over and give up on our kids—we're fighting back.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
That's despite efforts by agency higher-ups to break the news to them as gently as possible − and encouraging them not to give up on themselves or government service − during the call.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for give up on (someone or something)
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.
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Lululemon delivered a softer guide but do not give up on this.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
Democrats in the Senate are not going to roll over and give up on our kids—we're fighting back.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
That's despite efforts by agency higher-ups to break the news to them as gently as possible − and encouraging them not to give up on themselves or government service − during the call.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for give up on (someone or something)
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 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share