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Glite Dictionary
🎁 To distribute 🛑 To stop working 💨 To emit
to give out

to give out

57 4.1
To stop working or run out so nothing is left
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɪv aʊt/
translation icon : dejar de funcionar
  • The old car finally gave out on the highway after years of service.

It's like your, your body gives out at my father's grave.

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Examples

  • As far as I know today, yes, I'm doing well, but my body gives out with no warning.

    Funny Or Die

  • And you never know when your brain is going to give out on you.

    Academic text (2007)

  • And at some point the radio gives out and then they want to drink and dance because this is their holiday.

    Chris Williamson

  • Until the truck gives out somewhere.

    Bones and All (2022)

  • My old arm's giving out.

    The Big Trail (1930)

  • It's only a matter of time before that knee gives out on him.

    National Champions (2021)

  • One more summer of commuting, and my heart is going to give out, too.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Amy wondered as she descended the stairs if her legs were going to give out under her.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I sat quickly, feeling my legs soften and threaten to give out from under me.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • And all of a sudden my knee gave out and I just had a flash of the headlines in the Assisi Daily News.

Synonyms

to go
vsto give out
∞ 5.6

To stop working or start to fail

is more specific about machines, parts, or supplies failing or used up
to run out
vsto give out
937 1.9

Use all of something so none is left

also covers mechanical or bodily stoppage, not only lack of supply
to die
vsto give out
498 4.6

To stop working, often suddenly

can also mean temporary stoppage or simple exhaustion rather than permanent end
to fail
vsto give out
370 2.2

Stop working properly, as a machine or part

also covers being used up completely so nothing remains
to break down
vsto give out
194 3.2

To stop working because of a problem

also includes resources becoming exhausted rather than only faults
to give way
vsto give out
35 4.2

Break or fail because of pressure

is more general and can mean failure without collapse from pressure
to go bad
vsto give out
  • US
33 3.5

Stop working and need repair

is broader, covering normal wear or total exhaustion rather than spoilage
to wear out
vsto give out
26 2.3

To get damaged or stop working after long use

can also mean sudden cessation or complete exhaustion, not only long wear
to give up
vsto give out
14 2.6

To stop working after being used for a long time

also means being used up completely, not only ceasing operation
to conk out
vsto give out
  • Informal
7 8.1

To stop working suddenly or to fall asleep because of tiredness

is not always sudden and can mean gradual exhaustion or normal wear
to give up the ghost
vsto give out
  • Informal
4 8.1

To die or stop working after a long time of problems

is neutral and literal, not informal or playful

Antonyms

to function
441 2.6

To work in a particular role or job

How Broken

collapse
350 4.1
to give out
57 4.1
to falter
48 4.9
to function
441 2.6

Surface Forms

give out infinitive
giving out present participle
gives out third person singular
gave out past
given out past participle

Morphology

give + out

The meaning 'to give or distribute' is directly derived from combining 'give' (to supply) with the particle 'out', which conveys outward distribution or handing things around; a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer this sense. This verb+particle composition is a common, productive pattern in English (and has parallels in many languages), so the expression is transparently compositional.

Etymology

The verb give out comes from the idea of something trying to give its power or strength out until there is none left; when a machine or a body can no longer give out, it stops working. So, the phrase means 'to stop working' or 'to become used up'.