bride

give someone or something away

to reveal a secret about someone or something. I thought no one knew where I was, but my loud breathing gave me away. We know that Billy ate the cherry pie. The cherry juice on his shirt gave him away. I had planned a surprise, but John gave away my secret.

See also: away, give

give someone away (to someone)

1. Fig. [for the bride's father] to give the bride away to the groom. (Customarily done just prior to the actual marriage ceremony.) Mr. Franklin gave Amy away to Terry just as he had done in the rehearsal. He was reluctant to give his daughter away.

2. Fig. to reveal something secret about someone to someone else. Please don't give me away. I don't want anyone to know my plans. Alice did everything she could to keep from giving herself away.

See also: away, give

give something away (to someone)

1. to donate to, or bestow something upon, someone. I gave the old clothing away to Tom. I gave away my coat to Tom.

2. to tell a secret to someone. Please don't give the surprise away to anyone. Don't give away my secret.

3. to reveal the answer to a question, riddle, or problem to someone. Don't give the answer away to them! Don't give away the answer!

See also: away, give

Happy is the bride that the sun shines on.

Prov. It is supposed to be good luck for the sun to shine on a couple on their wedding day. Our wedding day was a sunny one, and most of my relatives made sure to remind me, "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on."

See also: happy, shine, sun

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always the bridesmaid, never the bride

used to talk about someone who is never the most important person in a situation Huw worked with a host of great actors, but somehow was always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

See also: always, never

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give somebody/something away also give away somebody/something

to tell or show something that is private or secret She didn't want us to know she was upset, but the look on her face gave her away. I haven't seen the movie yet, so don't give away the ending.

Usage notes: said about something you do whether or not you intend to do it

See also: away, give