give up on (someone or something)
idiom
1
: to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone)
He has gotten in trouble many times, but his parents have never given up on him.
Please don't give up on me. I promise I'll do better.
2
: to stop having hope of seeing (someone)
We'd given up on you hours ago!
3
: to stop trying to do or achieve (something)
They have given up on their plan to build a new factory.
She hasn't given up on trying to convince her husband to buy a new car.
Examples of give up on (someone or something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But viewers aren’t ready to give up on Jackie and Shadow.
—
Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
Williamson’s potential is way too high to give up on him at 24 years old.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Parents are often afraid to let their kids give up on sports or other activities, fearing that letting kids quit will teach them the wrong lessons.
—Amy Wilson, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
The second Friday in January has become known as Quitter’s Day because that’s when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions, when the will power to eat better, be punctual or exercise more begins to wear off.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for give up on (someone or something) 
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Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
Williamson’s potential is way too high to give up on him at 24 years old.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Parents are often afraid to let their kids give up on sports or other activities, fearing that letting kids quit will teach them the wrong lessons.
—Amy Wilson, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
The second Friday in January has become known as Quitter’s Day because that’s when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions, when the will power to eat better, be punctual or exercise more begins to wear off.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for give up on (someone or something)
Dictionary Entries Near give up on (someone or something)
Cite this Entry
“Give up on (someone or something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20up%20on%20%28someone%20or%20something%29. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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