Surrender Phrasal Verb | 15 Phrasal Verbs for Surrender

“Learn how to use the Surrender Phrasal Verb effectively in everyday English with clear examples and meanings.”
In the realm of language, phrasal verbs are powerful tools that allow speakers to convey nuanced meanings and actions. When it comes to the concept of surrender, which involves yielding, conceding, or giving in, phrasal verbs play a crucial role in articulating these ideas effectively. Let’s delve into various phrasal verbs related to surrender, exploring their meanings and usage through practical examples.

Table of Contents

Defining Give up .

Give up is a phrasal verb that denotes the act of ceasing efforts or relinquishing something, typically due to challenges, difficulties, or a realization of futility. When individuals give up, they consciously decide to discontinue their pursuit of a goal, task, or endeavor. This decision often stems from exhaustion, frustration, or an acknowledgment that further attempts may not yield desired results.

Giving up can also imply surrendering to circumstances beyond one’s control or admitting defeat in a competition or argument. It involves letting go of resistance or opposition and accepting a situation as it is. For example, someone might give up on a relationship after repeated conflicts or give up on a project that has become too complex to manage effectively. Ultimately, giving up is a reflective choice, highlighting resilience in knowing when to redirect efforts or priorities towards more achievable outcomes.

Surrender Phrasal Verb Examples and meaning

Give up

To give up is to cease efforts or relinquish control over something, often due to difficulty or realization of futility.

Example 1: After years of trying to quit smoking, he finally gave up and sought professional help.
Example 2: Despite numerous attempts, she gave up on convincing him to change his mind.
Example 3: They gave up searching for the lost keys after turning the house upside down.
Example 4: The explorers gave up hope of finding a shortcut through the dense jungle.
Example 5: He reluctantly gave up his dream of becoming a professional musician.

Hand over

Hand over means to transfer possession or control of something to another person, often reluctantly or under pressure.

Example 1: The suspect was required to hand over all weapons before entering the courthouse.
Example 2: The CEO decided to hand over the leadership of the company to his successor.
Example 3: He handed over the responsibility of organizing the event to his assistant.
Example 4: The landlord demanded that the tenants hand over the keys to the apartment upon moving out.
Example 5: She handed over the project files to her colleague before going on maternity leave.

Lay down

To lay down is to establish rules, conditions, or directives, asserting authority or control over a situation.

Example 1: The professor laid down strict guidelines for the research paper.
Example 2: The coach laid down the team rules before the start of the season.
Example 3: The company laid down new policies regarding remote work arrangements.
Example 4: The principal laid down expectations for behavior during school assemblies.
Example 5: The government laid down regulations concerning environmental protection.

Cave in

Cave in denotes yielding to pressure or persuasion, giving way to demands or arguments.

Example 1: After hours of negotiation, they finally caved in and agreed to the terms of the contract.
Example 2: Despite his initial resistance, he eventually caved in and apologized for the misunderstanding.
Example 3: The union caved in to management’s proposal after prolonged discussions.
Example 4: Faced with mounting evidence, the suspect caved in and confessed to the crime.
Example 5: She always caved in to her children’s requests for dessert after dinner.

Submit to

To submit to is to yield to authority, accept demands, or comply with directives.

Example 1: Citizens are required to submit to customs inspections upon entering the country.
Example 2: The company had no choice but to submit to the regulatory requirements imposed by the government.
Example 3: Employees must submit to background checks as part of the hiring process.
Example 4: The team decided to submit to the coach’s decision regarding the starting lineup.
Example 5: The student reluctantly submitted to the professor’s request for revisions on the essay.

Succumb to

Succumb to implies giving in to temptation, pressure, or illness, often against one’s better judgment.

Example 6: Despite his healthy diet goals, he occasionally succumbed to the temptation of indulging in sweets.
Example 7: The team succumbed to exhaustion after playing three consecutive games in a row.
Example 8: She tried to resist the urge to check her phone, but eventually succumbed to curiosity.
Example 9: The city succumbed to panic during the sudden outbreak of the virus.
Example 10: He succumbed to peer pressure and joined his friends in skipping class.

Yield to

Yield to means to give way to someone or something, conceding or allowing them precedence.

Example 6: The government decided to yield to public demand and increase funding for education.
Example 7: She gracefully yielded to her opponent’s superior skills during the chess tournament.
Example 8: The company chose to yield to market trends and adapt their product line accordingly.
Example 9: As a sign of respect, he yielded to his grandmother’s wishes and attended the family reunion.
Example 10: The jury yielded to overwhelming evidence and reached a quick verdict.

Collapse under

To collapse under is to fail or give way under pressure, often due to physical strain or structural weakness.

Example 6: The old building finally collapsed under the weight of heavy snowfall.
Example 7: The athlete’s stamina collapsed under the intense demands of the marathon race.
Example 8: The economy collapsed under the burden of unsustainable debt.
Example 9: Her resolve collapsed under the emotional stress of the divorce proceedings.
Example 10: The chair collapsed under his weight as he sat down.

Throw in the towel

Throw in the towel means to give up or surrender, especially after prolonged struggle or effort.

Example 6: After years of trying to revive the business, they finally decided to throw in the towel and close shop.
Example 7: Feeling overwhelmed by the workload, she was tempted to throw in the towel and resign.
Example 8: The boxer refused to throw in the towel despite the relentless barrage of punches.
Example 9: They were so far behind in the race that they reluctantly decided to throw in the towel and withdraw.
Example 10: After numerous failed attempts, he finally threw in the towel on finding a job in his hometown.

Bow to

To bow to is to yield to someone’s authority, conceding their superiority or dominance.

Example 6: The rebel leader refused to bow to the demands of the occupying forces.
Example 7: Despite their initial resistance, the board of directors eventually bowed to shareholder pressure.
Example 8: He had no choice but to bow to his boss’s decision regarding the project timeline.
Example 9: The defeated general was forced to bow to the terms of surrender.
Example 10: The administration bowed to public outcry and reversed its controversial policy.

Back down

Back down means to withdraw from a position or stance, especially in a disagreement or confrontation.

Example 11: After the heated debate, he finally backed down and admitted he was wrong.
Example 12: The company initially planned a price increase but backed down after customer backlash.
Example 13: Faced with protests, the government backed down from implementing the controversial law.
Example 14: She refused to back down from her principles despite pressure from her peers.
Example 15: Realizing the futility of arguing, he decided to back down and compromise.

Give way

To give way is to yield or surrender, often to allow something else to proceed or take precedence.

Example 11: The rusty door finally gave way under the force of the strong wind.
Example 12: His resistance gave way to acceptance after hearing her heartfelt apology.
Example 13: The old tradition gave way to modern practices over time.
Example 14: The worn-out tires gave way on the rough terrain during the expedition.
Example 15: Her skepticism gave way to optimism as she witnessed the project’s success.

Concede to

To concede to is to acknowledge defeat or yield to someone’s arguments or demands.

Example 11: After hours of negotiation, the union finally conceded to management’s offer of a pay raise.
Example 12: He reluctantly conceded to her superior knowledge on the subject.
Example 13: The losing team gracefully conceded to their opponents at the end of the match.
Example 14: The defendant conceded to the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecutor.
Example 15: Despite his reservations, he eventually conceded to the need for organizational restructuring.

Relent to

Relent to means to finally give in or yield after resisting for some time.

Example 11: She kept asking for a pet dog until her parents finally relented to her request.
Example 12: The teacher was stern at first but eventually relented to allowing extra time for the assignment.
Example 13: The landlord initially refused but relented to lowering the rent after negotiations.
Example 14: He was persistent in his pursuit until she relented to going on a date with him.
Example 15: The manager was firm about the policy until he relented to making exceptions for special cases.

Abandon oneself to

To abandon oneself to is to surrender completely to emotions, desires, or circumstances.

Example 11: After the breakup, she abandoned herself to grief and spent days in solitude.
Example 12: He abandoned himself to the thrill of adventure and explored remote regions.
Example 13: The artist abandoned herself to inspiration and created a masterpiece in one sitting.
Example 14: They abandoned themselves to the joy of celebration after winning the championship.
Example 15: In times of crisis, people often abandon themselves to faith for comfort and guidance.

FAQs

What does it mean to give up in a situation?

Giving up refers to the decision to stop pursuing a goal, task, or endeavor due to challenges, difficulties, or a realization that further efforts may not lead to success. It involves ceasing efforts and often accepting the circumstances as they are, acknowledging the futility of continuing.

When should I hand over responsibility to someone else?

You should hand over responsibility when you find it necessary or beneficial to transfer control or possession of something to another person. This could be due to delegation, trust, or the need for someone else’s expertise or authority to manage a situation effectively.

How do rules help in laying down structure and order?

Laying down rules establishes clear guidelines and expectations, providing structure and order in various settings such as workplaces, classrooms, or communities. It helps maintain consistency, promote fairness, and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

What does it mean to cave in during negotiations?

Caving in means yielding to pressure, demands, or arguments from others, often after resisting or holding a different position initially. It involves giving way or conceding to reach an agreement or compromise, especially in situations where reaching consensus is crucial.

Why is it important to submit to regulations or authority?

Submitting to regulations or authority is important for compliance, maintaining order, and ensuring consistency in operations or interactions. It reflects respect for established rules and the recognition of authority’s role in guiding or governing specific contexts or activities.

Conclusion

Phrasal verbs related to surrender encompass a wide range of actions and attitudes, from yielding under pressure to acknowledging defeat or relinquishing control. By mastering these expressions and their usage through examples, you can effectively navigate various contexts where surrender is a relevant theme. Practice incorporating these phrasal verbs into your conversations and writing to enhance your fluency and expressiveness in English.

Clara Whitemore

I’m Clara Whitmore, the girl running the show at “Grammer Grove.” I’ve been playing with expressions and formats to make grammer a whole lot of fun. Over at Grammer grove, we’re here to make your English grammer incredible. Let’s add some professionalism and gratitude to yourwritting together!