give (someone) up for lost

idiom

: to decide that someone cannot be helped or saved
He was desperately ill, and most of the doctors had given him up for lost.

Dictionary Entries Near give (someone) up for lost

Cite this Entry

“Give (someone) up for lost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20up%20for%20lost. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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