Definition

Verb: - To surrender, relinquish, or give up something, especially after pressure, force, or a prolonged period. It often implies a reluctant or forced handing over of something that was previously held, controlled, or concealed.

Usage

The verb "yield up" is used to describe the act of surrendering something tangible (like an object or territory) or intangible (like information or secrets). It typically suggests that the surrender is not voluntary but is compelled by external factors such as force, persuasion, or the passage of time. It is a transitive phrasal verb, requiring a direct object (what is being surrendered).

Examples

• After a ten-hour siege, the rebels were forced to yield up the fortress.
• The ancient tomb finally yielded up its secrets to the archaeologists.
• He refused to yield up the documents without a court order.

Advanced Usage

• "to yield up the ghost": An archaic or literary idiom meaning to die or cease functioning.
  • The old machine sputtered and finally yielded up the ghost.

Variants and Related Words

• Yield (verb): To produce or provide (e.g., a crop, result); to give way under pressure.
• Surrender (verb): To give up or hand over, often more general than "yield up."
• Relinquish (verb): To voluntarily give up or let go of something.

Synonyms

• Give up
• Hand over
• Deliver up
• Cede
• Fork over (informal)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Give up: To surrender or stop trying. (Can be more general than "yield up," often used for habits or efforts).
  • He finally gave up smoking.
• Turn over: To transfer possession of something to someone, often an authority.
  • They turned over the suspect to the police.

Related Idioms

• Cry uncle: To admit defeat or surrender (informal).
  • After losing five arm-wrestling matches, he finally cried uncle.

Verb

1. surrender, as a result of pressure or force