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Glite Dictionary
to give a ring

to give a ring

1 2.2
To phone someone
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɪv ə rɪŋ/
translation icon : llamar
  • Don't forget to give a ring to your boss before the meeting.

Examples

  • If you need anything, just give a ring.

  • While the mechanic was checking my bike though, I gave a ring to an old buddy of mine who's a shrink.

    Chiquita (2025)

  • After work, I'll give a ring to my sister to catch up.

Synonyms

to ring
vsto give a ring
  • UK
294 1.0

To call someone on the phone

is an informal spoken way to make that telephone contact
to call up
vsto give a ring
209 2.5

To phone someone

is the casual spoken phrase for making that direct contact
to phone
vsto give a ring
204 1.0

To call someone by telephone

is the informal everyday expression for that telephone contact
to make a call
vsto give a ring
93 1.0

To phone someone

is a casual phrase meaning the same telephone contact
to telephone
vsto give a ring
20 1.0

To call someone to speak with them

is the informal conversational way to perform that communication
to ping
vsto give a ring
  • Texting
10 4.1

To send someone a short electronic message to get their attention

is about a short spoken telephone contact rather than a message
to give a shout
vsto give a ring
  • Informal
1 5.1

Call or message someone to let them know something

is specifically about making a short voice contact by phone

How Direct

visit
∞ 1.0
to give a ring
1 2.2
to send a message
  • Informal
81 3.4

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

give + a + ring

The meaning 'to make a phone call' is directly derivable from combining 'give' (perform/provide) with 'a ring' (a ring = a phone call), following the common light-verb pattern 'give/make a X' in English. This composition and the nominalized sense of 'ring' are cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can reasonably infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Give a ring comes from early phones, when calling someone made their phone ring like a bell, so you were literally 'giving' them a ring. So, it now means 'to make a phone call'.