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Glite Dictionary
to give the mitten

to give the mitten

9.9
To end a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend
  • idiom
  • Archaic
: dar la espalda
  • He was devastated when his girlfriend gave the mitten after their argument.

Examples

  • Sometimes it's kinder to give the mitten than remain in an unhappy relationship.

  • After several months of dating, she decided to give the mitten to her boyfriend.

  • Don't give the mitten to him!

  • She decided to give the mitten to him!

  • After several months of dating, she decided to give the mitten to her boyfriend.

  • He was devastated when his girlfriend gave the mitten after their argument.

  • Sometimes it's kinder to give the mitten than remain in an unhappy relationship.

Synonyms

to break up
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
968 2.6

End a relationship with someone, for example a romantic or business partner

is a colloquial way to describe that termination
to break up with
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
459 3.4

To end a romantic relationship with someone

is the same act but expressed in a playful idiom
to break with
vsto give the mitten
440 4.1

End a relationship with someone or something in a clear, final way

is an informal idiom focused on personal romantic rejection
to dump
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
432 5.1

To end a romantic relationship suddenly and without care

covers the same rejection but can be less harsh in phrasing
to rebuff
vsto give the mitten
22 7.7

To say no to someone or their offer in a quick rude way

is a less formal phrasing used in everyday speech
to give the heave-ho
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
6 8.5

To tell someone to leave their job or to stop using something

is similar but used particularly for ending close personal ties
to let someone down gently
vsto give the mitten
3 4.3

To end a relationship or give bad news in a way that hurts less

is about rejection too but with a blunt or playful delivery
to give someone the brush-off
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
2 7.5

To reject someone quickly and rudely

is more about ending a close bond rather than simple coldness
to give the axe
vsto give the mitten
  • UK
1 7.4

To suddenly end someone's job or a relationship, often without warning

is narrower in everyday speech and more playful in use
to give the elbow
vsto give the mitten
  • UK
1 9.0

To end a relationship or stop someone from working for you

is a more informal, idiomatic expression for that rejection
to give the gate
vsto give the mitten
  • UK
1 9.9

To end a relationship or job suddenly and harshly

shares abruptness but is more playful and less violent in tone
to give the bounce
vsto give the mitten
  • UK
9.7

End someone's job or relationship suddenly and without warning

is a colloquial variant focused on personal relationship endings
to kick someone to the curb
vsto give the mitten
  • Informal
9.4

Suddenly stop seeing or talking to someone

is the same rejecting idea but less slangy and gentler

Antonyms

to accept
∞ 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

embrace
24 3.4

A warm, willing acceptance of someone or an idea

How Abrupt

to cut off
601 3.8
to dump
  • Informal
432 5.1
to give the mitten
  • Archaic
9.9
to break up with
  • Informal
459 3.4

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

give + the + mitten

The meaning 'to reject or dismiss someone' is not derivable from the literal parts 'give' and 'mitten' — giving a mitten (a glove) has no obvious conceptual link to ending a relationship. This is an idiomatic (and somewhat dated/regional) expression whose sense is unpredictable from its constituents and therefore would be opaque to a B1 learner who only knows the component words.

Etymology

Give the mitten may come from an old dating image: instead of taking someone's bare hand to show affection, you are handed a mitten, a covered glove that keeps distance and warmth away. That's why it means 'to reject or dismiss someone', especially 'to end a romantic relationship'.