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give out — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
give out
1distribute2stop working3announce

Meaning 1 · most common

distribute

  • give out sth to sb

to hand something to each person in a group; to distribute.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The teacher gave out the exam papers to the students.

A: Who's going to give out the flyers at the event?
B: I'll do it, no problem.

Common mistake

Not: She gave out us the worksheets.

Say: She gave us the worksheets. / She gave out the worksheets.

Don't put the recipient between 'give' and 'out'. Use 'give out + thing', or 'give + person + thing'.

More on “distribute”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my school, the principal would often give out certificates to students who did well in their exams.

Tell it apart

They gave out free samples.

  • handed one to each person

The old printer finally gave out.

  • stopped working

Goes with

  • give out + items
Practice saying this
Next meaning: stop working

Meaning 2

stop working

  • informal

to stop working or functioning, usually because of being old or used too much.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

My phone finally gave out after years of use.

A: Why did you stop running?
B: My legs just gave out. I couldn't move anymore.

Common mistake

Not: My phone gave out of battery.

Say: My phone died. / My phone ran out of battery.

'Give out' = fail from wear (engine, knees, voice). For a battery or supply ending, use 'run out' or 'die'.

More on “stop working”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the hike, my old backpack gave out and the straps broke, so I had to carry everything by hand.

Tell it apart

His knees gave out on the stairs.

  • failed under strain

He gave out the prizes.

  • handed them round

Goes with

  • give out
Practice saying this
Next meaning: announce

Meaning 3

announce

  • give out sth

to officially announce or state information.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The results will be given out at the end of the meeting.

A: Has the company given out any information about the new project?
B: Not yet, but they promised to update us soon.

Common mistake

Not: The teacher gave out that the test was cancelled.

Say: The teacher announced that the test was cancelled.

'Give out' + a that-clause is unnatural. This sense works with a noun object (information, details, results); for news use 'announce/say'.

More on “announce”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

The university gave out the list of successful applicants on their website last Friday.

Tell it apart

The tannoy gave out a final boarding call.

  • announced it

They gave out leaflets at the door.

  • handed them round

Goes with

  • give out + information
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distributestop workingannounce