give away - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

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

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

? References in classic literature
At first she found it amusing to give away dresses and ribbons to the maids, but when that was done and what was left had still to be packed, she found it dull. War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context I have known ambition, when cured at court by frequent disappointments (which are the only physic for it), to break out again in a contest for foreman of the grand jury at an assizes; and have heard of a man who had so far conquered avarice, as to give away many a sixpence, that comforted himself, at last, on his deathbed, by making a crafty and advantageous bargain concerning his ensuing funeral, with an undertaker who had married his only child. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context George comes bluff and martial through it all, and his pledge to be present at the marriage and give away the bride is received with universal favour. Bleak House by Dickens, Charles View in context More results

? References in classic literature

At first she found it amusing to give away dresses and ribbons to the maids, but when that was done and what was left had still to be packed, she found it dull.

War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context

I have known ambition, when cured at court by frequent disappointments (which are the only physic for it), to break out again in a contest for foreman of the grand jury at an assizes; and have heard of a man who had so far conquered avarice, as to give away many a sixpence, that comforted himself, at last, on his deathbed, by making a crafty and advantageous bargain concerning his ensuing funeral, with an undertaker who had married his only child.

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context

George comes bluff and martial through it all, and his pledge to be present at the marriage and give away the bride is received with universal favour.

Bleak House by Dickens, Charles View in context

More results