Meaning trap
give away
reveal a secret
To accidentally or intentionally let someone know something that was meant to be kept secret.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To accidentally or intentionally let someone know something that was meant to be kept secret.
Another meaning of 'give away' is 'give something for free'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He accidentally gave away the surprise party by mentioning it in front of Sarah.
Sometimes, people give away important information without realizing it, especially when they are nervous.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Don't give away it!
Say: Don't give it away!
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'give it away', never 'give away it'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
For letting something slip, natives say 'give away'. 'Revealed her true intentions' is narration, not speech.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
give away + secret/info
- the secret
- the ending
- the surprise
- the answer
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- give away (give something for free) — Another meaning of 'give away' is 'give something for free'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.