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give over

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To give control of something to someone else, to use something only for one thing, or (British slang) to stop it or 'yeah right!'

Literal meaning: To give something across, to another person or purpose.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To hand something or transfer control to another person.

"He gave over the management of the company to his daughter."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral

To dedicate a space, time, or resource exclusively to a particular purpose.

"The entire ground floor of the museum was given over to the new exhibition."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic informal

(British, informal) Used as a command to stop doing something annoying, or to express disbelief at what someone has said.

"'I won a million pounds in the lottery.' 'Give over! You're joking, right?'"

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The British English informal sense ('Give over!' meaning 'Stop it!' or 'You can't be serious!') is Northern British English dialect, common in areas such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. The 'dedicate to a purpose' sense is more neutral. ESL learners in the UK should be especially aware of the dialect sense.

Commonly used with

control power land building space authority

Forms

Base
give over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gives over
he/she/it
Past simple
gave over
yesterday
Past participle
given over
have + pp
-ing form
giving over
continuous

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