give (oneself) over to (someone or something)
1. To yield, submit, or surrender to someone or something. If you give yourself over the headmaster now, you might receive a less severe punishment. Only when I gave myself over to my sensei did I truly begin to learn. John, just give yourself over to the cops. Don't make this worse for yourself.
2. To immerse oneself in or dedicate oneself to someone or something. With the graduation deadline looming, I canceled all social obligations and just gave myself over to my master's thesis. Sorry, I didn't hear you come in—I had given myself over to all this paperwork. Ever since my break-up with Ben, I've given myself over to keep from crying all day long.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
give oneself over to someone or something
1. Lit. to surrender to someone or something. He went to the station and gave himself over to the police. Max gave himself over to the officer.
2. Fig. to devote oneself to someone or something. Laurie gave herself over to her work and soon forgot her pain. David gave himself over to the religious order.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.