surrender to temptation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrender to temptation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of giving in to desires or urges that may not be in one's best interest. Example: "Despite knowing the consequences, she decided to surrender to temptation and indulge in the dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The longer "Spring Breakers" goes on, the more its creator comes to resemble its characters in his swooning surrender to temptation, and by the time Alien noodles around on a grand piano, in a peachy twilight, on the waterfront, and croons Britney Spears's "Everytime," while Cotty, Brit, and Candy writhe along, cradling assault weapons and a shotgun, Korine has mislaid any claim to moral distance.

The New Yorker

My surrender to temptation is of no real consequence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I surrendered to temptation, committed selfish acts of betrayal, and destroyed any chance of trust and reconciliation in my marriage..

The New Yorker

I surrendered to temptation, committed selfish acts of betrayal, and destroyed any chance of trust and reconciliation in my marriage...

The New Yorker

Despite the ranger warnings and our mantra about rising waters, we surrendered to temptation, plunged our feet into one of the ankle-deep creeks and sloshed our way to the pool's edge.

The New York Times - Travel

Other works include a "daring" novel about a clergyman's surrender to sexual temptation, Adam Blair (1822).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike Mattson, Frank does not surrender to any temptation to novelize, even though he is a novelist, the author of a well-regarded "Washington trilogy" that includes "The Columnist" (2001).

The New Yorker

SHRUM: "You used the phrase 'will Republicans surrender to the temptation.' They will embrace it!

Huffington Post

Like many black men who surrender to the temptation to become oppressor for a day, Ali occasionally did the white man's work for him, like when he viciously painted Joe Frazier as a racial sellout during the buildup to their third, most consequential battle in the Philippines in 1975.

Vice

Refuse to surrender to the temptation of revealing your true feelings.

WikiHow

Whether adapting EM Forster or (one would think) more cinematically resistant works like Remains of the Day and (one of my favourites) Mr and Mrs Bridge, Jhabvala's talent is to capture the essence, to bring out the universality of her subject without surrendering to the temptation to make it more topical, more relevant.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about moral decisions, use "surrender to temptation" to illustrate the human struggle between right and wrong.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "surrender to temptation" can sound melodramatic in formal writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "give in" or "yield" for professional communications.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surrender to temptation" is as a verbal phrase, acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the act of yielding to a desire or urge, typically one that is considered morally questionable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surrender to temptation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of giving in to a desire, often one considered morally questionable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees usage across diverse sources, from news articles to encyclopedias. While its frequency is relatively rare, its meaning is clear and its usage is generally appropriate. Alternatives like "give in to temptation" or "yield to temptation" can be used for similar effect, especially in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give in to temptation

Replaces "surrender" with "give in", implying a less deliberate yielding.

yield to temptation

Similar to 'give in', but suggests a more passive acceptance of temptation.

succumb to temptation

Emphasizes the overwhelming power of temptation and the resulting defeat.

fall prey to temptation

Suggests vulnerability and being targeted by temptation.

be overcome by temptation

Highlights the overpowering nature of the temptation.

lose the battle against temptation

Frames the situation as a conflict where temptation wins.

bow to temptation

Implies a deliberate act of submission to temptation.

acquiesce to temptation

Suggests a reluctant or hesitant agreement to yield.

embrace temptation

Suggests a more enthusiastic and willing acceptance of temptation.

indulge in temptation

Focuses on the act of enjoying or savoring the temptation.

FAQs

What does "surrender to temptation" mean?

The phrase "surrender to temptation" means to yield or give in to a desire or urge, especially one that is considered wrong or unwise. It implies a lack of resistance against something alluring but potentially harmful.

How can I use "surrender to temptation" in a sentence?

You can use "surrender to temptation" in a sentence like this: "Despite his efforts to diet, he decided to "surrender to temptation" and eat the entire cake."

What can I say instead of "surrender to temptation"?

You can use alternatives like "give in to temptation", "yield to temptation", or "succumb to temptation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "surrendered to temptation"?

Yes, "surrendered to temptation" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example: "She "surrendered to temptation" and had a second slice of pizza."