to give life to
5
4.1
- phrasal verb
:
dar vida a
- The new decorations give life to the room, transforming it into a warm and inviting space.
- gives life to characters
- give life to a human
I'm buffing it in round circular motions so that we give life to the face.
- I'm buffing it in round circular motions so that we give life to the face.
- And every one of the major global streamers, global media, entertainment companies, studios that could have acquired and given life to this film.
- Maya is an illusionary energy that gives life to this material creation.
- What has propagated or cultivated or continues to give life to this negative.
Examples
-
Like the phoenix, technology education (TE) can, under the right circumstances, give life to new programs—curricula with different emphases and directions from technology education, yet sharing a common heritage: the belief that applied technology will continue to shape our world.
Academic text (2009) -
By adding color to your walls with murals, paintings, or small shelves with pieces of art on display, you will give life to your space and add depth to your visual surroundings.
Blog text (20) -
And in return, you will give life to the rest of us.
-
So I am always working on my ability to just pick up the script and give life to what those words are.
-
You give life to the trees and hills.
-
Advances in medical technology give life to children who would not have survived a few years ago.
Academic text (1991) -
The floating figures give life to the paintings.
Blog text (23) -
Since then, the Jones Institute has helped give life to more than 750 children.
Academic text (1990) -
People give life to categories and values conveyed in pension policies by making these subject positions part of the history of their own lives.
Academic text (1991) -
He does so to give life to the imagination and explore its engagement with fiction.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
66
3.9
To make or become more active and interesting
65
3.7
To make someone feel more active and alert
45
4.8
To give new life and energy to something
27
2.7
To make a place or thing look more cheerful by adding color
26
5.5
To give more energy and make someone or something feel lively
19
5.7
To give new energy and interest to a person or thing
17
2.7
Make a room or person more cheerful
6
4.1
Make something more active and interesting
4
3.6
To make something more exciting or interesting
4
4.9
To make someone or something more lively
3
4.1
To give new energy and enthusiasm to a person or thing
3
4.0
To make a person or thing feel fresh and full of energy
3
3.4
Make a room feel happier and more lively
3
3.8
Make a room feel happy and friendly when someone arrives
1
6.7
To make something full of life and energy
1
8.5
To give new life and energy to people or things
1
8.2
To make something more lively or bright
1
2.9
Make a room feel more lively and cheerful
Feels more lively and cheerful
Make an event like a party more lively and exciting
To make a room feel happier and more lively
Antonyms
How Lively
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to make something more lively' is directly derivable from combining 'give' (to supply or produce) with 'life' (liveliness); the construction transparently means 'cause to have life/vitality'. This verb + noun composition (give life to) is common cross-linguistically (e.g. Spanish 'dar vida a', French 'donner vie à'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents is very likely to infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Give life to comes from the simple image of someone giving life to a quiet room or story: a coat of paint, bright light, or a lively person makes the place seem to wake up. That's why it means 'to make something more lively or full of energy'.