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give up on

[/ɡɪv ʌp ɑːn/]
verb phrase
desistir de
1. to stop trying to do or achieve something; to abandon hope or effort
Don't give up on your dreams.
Não desista dos seus sonhos.
2. to lose faith in someone's ability to succeed or improve
The teacher refused to give up on the struggling student.
A professora recusou-se a desistir do aluno com dificuldades.
3. to stop believing that something is possible
I gave up on finding my lost keys.
Desisti de encontrar minhas chaves perdidas.
NYC Slang
fuggedaboutit / forget about it
Synonyms
abandonquitsurrenderstop tryingthrow in the towelrenounce
Antonyms
persistperseverecontinuekeep tryinghold onstick with

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desistir de
most common usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
desistir de / largar de mão
both expressions are used; largar de mão is more informal
Rio de Janeiro
desistir de / chutar o balde
chutar o balde is colloquial slang meaning to give up completely
Portugal
desistir de / abandonar
desistir de is preferred; abandonar is more formal

Related Idioms & Phrases

throw in the towel
call it quits
wave the white flag
lose heart
throw up one's hands
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