Meaning trap
give up
quit a habit
To stop doing something that you do regularly, especially something unhealthy or unwanted.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To stop doing something that you do regularly, especially something unhealthy or unwanted.
Another meaning of 'give up' is 'stop trying'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He gave up smoking last year and feels much healthier now.
Many people try to give up unhealthy habits, but it can be very challenging without support.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I gave up to smoke.
Say: I gave up smoking.
'Give up' + -ing for a habit, not a to-infinitive.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Give up' is the natural verb for quitting a habit; 'ceased my consumption of' is absurdly formal in speech.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
give up + habit
- smoking
- caffeine
- sugar
- drinking
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- give up (stop trying) — Another meaning of 'give up' is 'stop trying'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.