give into

USAGE SUMMARY

"give into" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to submit or yield to something, often against one's will or better judgment. Example: I wanted to stick to my diet, but I couldn't resist and gave into temptation, devouring the entire slice of chocolate cake. In this example, "give into" is used to describe succumbing to temptation and breaking the speaker's resolve to stick to their diet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you give into bullies, they win.

Independent

"We will never give into violence," Ms. Lindberg said.

The New York Times

I implore you: don't give into the temptation to pick someone radical to energize the base.

The New York Times

It is the competitive spirit that you give into your sports car".

The New York Times - Sports

He refused to give into short-lasting fads and materialistic bull.

The New York Times

"You try your hardest not to give into fate or bad luck.

The New York Times - Sports

"He refused to give into the temptation to make rash promises, which was encouraging".

The Guardian - Sport

Democrat Chuck Schumer said the Senate would not give into the Republicans' high-stakes gamble.

The Guardian

Senate Democrats should stand strong and refuse to give into Lieberman's threats.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I try to show them that they don't have to give into their environment or stereotypes".

The New York Times

But, wrote Pandian, don't give into those thoughts.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give into" to express yielding to a temptation, pressure, or demand, especially when there's a sense of reluctance or regret. For example: "I tried to resist the chocolate cake, but eventually I had to give into temptation."

Common error

Avoid using "give into" when you simply mean to agree or accept something willingly without any resistance. In such cases, use phrases like "agree with", "accept", or "support" instead. "Give into" implies a struggle or reluctance that is not always present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give into" functions as a phrasal verb, where "give" is the verb and "into" is the preposition. It primarily conveys the action of yielding or submitting to something, whether it be pressure, temptation, or demand. As stated by Ludwig AI, it means to submit or yield to something, often against one's will or better judgment. Examples from Ludwig show its use in resisting bullies or temptation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

17%

Less common in

Science

6%

BBC

5%

Independent

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give into" is a phrasal verb meaning to yield or submit to something, typically after some resistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is very common, primarily used in news and media contexts, and maintains a neutral register. When writing, remember that "give into" implies some form of initial reluctance. Avoid using it when simply agreeing or accepting something without resistance. Alternatives such as "succumb to" or "yield to" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. The phrase appears frequently in sources like the Huffington Post, WikiHow, and The New York Times, highlighting its widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succumb to

Implies a defeat or inability to resist, often with negative connotations.

yield to

Suggests a formal or reluctant agreement or submission.

submit to

Indicates a forced or unwilling acceptance of authority or control.

cave in to

Highlights a complete loss of resistance after pressure.

acquiesce to

Implies a silent agreement or acceptance without protest.

surrender to

Suggests a complete abandonment of resistance.

bow to

Implies a respectful or deferential submission.

capitulate to

Highlights a formal and unconditional surrender, often in a conflict.

defer to

Suggests a yielding to someone else's judgment or authority.

bend to

Indicates an adjustment to meet certain requirements and constraints.

FAQs

How can I use "give into" in a sentence?

You can use "give into" to show someone yielding to something that they were resisting. For example, "Don't "give into peer pressure"" or "I tried not to "give into temptation", but the cookies smelled so good!"

What's the difference between "give into" and "succumb to"?

While both phrases mean to yield or submit, "give into" often implies a more active choice to stop resisting, whereas "succumb to" suggests a more complete and often involuntary defeat.

What are some synonyms for "give into"?

Some synonyms for "give into" include "yield to", "submit to", "cave in to", and "acquiesce to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to "give into" something?

Not necessarily. While "give into" often implies yielding to something undesirable, it can also be used neutrally, especially when referring to giving into a desire or need. For instance, "I decided to "give into my cravings" and order pizza" isn't inherently negative.