Give Out – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever handed out flyers at an event, shared someone’s phone number, or had a machine stop working from overuse? In English, all these situations can use the phrase give out. This practical phrasal verb has a few key meanings—and knowing them helps you speak more naturally in everyday life.
What Does “Give Out” Mean?
“Give out” has three common uses:
1. To distribute something—like papers, food, or gifts (“The volunteers gave out water at the race.”)
2. To share information—often contact details or news (“She gave out her email to the class.”)
3. To stop working from exhaustion or overuse—used for machines, energy, or even body parts (“My legs gave out halfway up the hill.”)
Think of it like handing things to people, spreading details, or something collapsing from too much strain. It’s not about “giving” and “out” separately—it’s one action with clear context.
When to Use It
Use “give out” in casual or neutral situations:
• At events or school: “They gave out free samples at the store.”
• When sharing contact info: “Don’t give out my number without asking.”
• When something fails: “The printer finally gave out after ten years.”
It’s common in spoken English and informal writing—great for texts, chats, or storytelling. Avoid it in formal reports unless describing distribution or mechanical failure.
Example Sentences
- The teacher gave out the test papers quietly.
- He gave out his business card to everyone at the conference.
- After running 10 kilometers, my knees gave out.
- They’re giving out free coffee this morning—hurry!
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Why are you limping?”
Jamie: “My ankle gave out during the hike. I pushed too hard.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “give out” when you mean “give away” (as in donating or revealing secrets) or “hand in” (as in submitting homework). Also, when “give out” means “stop working,” it’s usually used with body parts or machines—not people’s emotions.
❌ Don’t say: “I gave out my old clothes.” (Use “gave away” instead.)
✅ Do say: “The school gave out new laptops to students.”
✅ Do say: “My phone battery gave out during the call.”
Practice Tip
Notice when someone hands out materials at work or school—and think, “They’re giving them out.” When your energy runs low or a device stops working, say to yourself, “It gave out.” Connecting the phrase to real moments makes it stick.
Final Note
Now you can use “give out” to talk about sharing, distributing, or things breaking down—from flyers to phone batteries! Keep your ears open for it in daily conversations, news, or shows. Every time you hear it, you’re building real English fluency. You’re doing great!