give-away

give-away

A shopkeeper puts a sign on a pile of books that says "give-away."

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • Something given away free or very cheaply: "give-away" refers to an item that is sold at an extremely low price or provided at no cost.
    • An unintentional revelation: "give-away" also means an action, statement, or detail that reveals a secret or betrays someone's true feelings or intentions.

  2. Adjective:

    • Very cheap or nearly free: "give-away" describes a price that is extremely low, almost as if the item is being given away.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The store offered a free give-away with every purchase. (An item provided at no cost as a promotion.)
    • His nervous laugh was a dead give-away that he was lying. (An unintentional clue that revealed the truth.)

  • Adjective:

    • They bought the car at a give-away price. (A price so low it seemed almost free.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be a give-away": to be an obvious clue or sign.

    • The smudged ink on the letter was a give-away that it had been altered. (The smudge clearly indicated tampering.)

  • "give-away price": a price that is extremely low, often used in sales or promotions.

    • The furniture was sold at a give-away price during the clearance sale. (The price was nearly zero.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Give away (phrasal verb): to reveal a secret or to donate something.

    • She accidentally gave away the ending of the movie. (She revealed the secret.)
    • He gave away all his old clothes to charity. (He donated them.)

  • Giveaway (noun, alternative spelling): same as "give-away".

    • The company's annual giveaway attracted long queues. (The free distribution event.)
Synonyms
  • Freebie: something given away free, especially as a promotion.
  • Bargain: something bought cheaply, though often implying a good deal rather than free.
  • Clue: a sign or piece of information that helps solve a mystery or reveal a secret.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Give away: to reveal a secret or to distribute freely.
    • The giveaway was his shaking hands. (His hands revealed his nervousness.)
Related Idioms

  • Dead giveaway: an unmistakable clue or sign.

    • The broken window was a dead giveaway that someone had broken in. (The clue was obvious and conclusive.)

  • Give the game away: to reveal a secret or plan unintentionally.

    • Don't give the game away by laughing at the wrong moment. (Don't expose the secret.)