Give up on the idea vs Give up the idea

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Give up on the idea' is more commonly used when someone decides to abandon or stop believing in a particular idea or plan. On the other hand, 'Give up the idea' is less common and is used when someone is asked to relinquish or let go of a specific idea or plan.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 2451 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Give up on the idea"

This phrase is used when someone decides to abandon or stop believing in a particular idea or plan.

Examples:

I think it's time to give up on the idea of starting a business together.
Don't give up on the idea of pursuing your dreams.
She refused to give up on the idea of finding her lost dog.

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It is time to give up on the idea that it is possible to make this industrial scale commercial slaughter in any way humane.
I'm not sure yet, but I'm not willing to give up on the idea that these people are connected.
Well, what is the answer to this? Is the answer to just give up on the idea of democracy?
I didn't want you ending up with a bad grade and get discouraged and give up on the idea of going back to school.
Until my parents give up on the idea of me marrying Chemmel Narayan.
I think I'm going to have to give up on the idea of buying John out of the house.
Please don't be upset. I just... I didn't want you ending up with a bad grade and get discouraged and give up on the idea of going back to school.
...and give up on the idea of going back to school.
I kept praying he'd just give up on the idea.

Alternatives:

abandon the idea
stop believing in the idea
let go of the idea
relinquish the idea
discard the idea

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"Give up the idea"

This phrase is used when someone is asked to relinquish or let go of a specific idea or plan.

Examples:

You need to give up the idea of going on vacation this year.
I had to give up the idea of buying a new car due to financial constraints.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't want to give up the Idea that you'll find someone.
It would be better to give up the idea of a directive rather than establish such a time limit.
And then you almost called off our wedding because you couldn't give up the idea... No. Don't...
Would it not be better to give up the idea of regulating local delicacies?
500 years ago we had to give up the idea that we are the center of the universe when the earth started to go around the sun; 150 years ago, with Darwin, we had to give up the idea we were different from animals.
- Give up the idea of being a soloist.
Please, give up the idea.
We must give up the idea of a French alliance.
Framework Programme 7 stands for our awareness that without a genuine common effort, we shall have to give up the idea of having manufacturing and development in Europe.
It is obvious that we cannot give up the idea of raising employment levels, which is one of the major goals set by the Swedish Presidency.
You need to give up the idea of ever getting back together with Amy, all right?
The current presidency of the Council would do well to give up the idea of an EU-wide alliance for work, which is still a nebulous concept, and replace it with a far more meaningful and, what is more, an achievable alliance for the future.
In that case it would be better simply to give up the idea of road pricing altogether.

Alternatives:

relinquish the idea
let go of the idea
abandon the idea
discard the idea
forget about the idea

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Give up on the idea vs Give up the idea