To give something up or surrender it, often reluctantly or after resistance; to reveal or disclose something hidden.
To finally hand something over or reveal something that was being kept, often when you did not want to.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To surrender or hand over something, especially reluctantly or under pressure.
"After months of resistance, the rebels finally yielded up their weapons."
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
— Luke 23:46, The Bible (King James Version) — related expression 'yield up the ghost'
To reveal or disclose something that was hidden, secret, or not easily accessible.
"Years of excavation finally caused the ancient site to yield up its secrets."
Literary and formal in tone. Common in religious language (yielding up one's spirit = dying) and in contexts of reluctant surrender. Also used figuratively when something hidden is finally revealed, e.g., 'the archive yielded up its secrets'. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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