giveaway

Everyday

1. A giveaway is a thing that is given free, for example a free gift or a prize in a competition. tree →
2. A giveaway (dead giveaway) is a small sign that tells a secret or shows the truth: "Her red face was a giveaway." tree →
3. (informal, adjective) Giveaway prices are very low. tree →
4. The verb «give away» means to give something for free, or to tell a secret by mistake. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, detective tales and everyday life, «a dead giveaway» is a clue that tells you who did it. In shops and online, a giveaway is a free prize or gift. Phrases: «a dead giveaway», «free giveaway», «enter a giveaway», «give away a secret».

Examples

• The chocolate on his face was a dead giveaway. tree →
• The comic came with a free giveaway: a toy whistle. tree →
• Enter our giveaway to win a bike! tree →
• Her smile was a giveaway that she knew the surprise. tree →
• Don't give away the ending of the book! tree →
• They gave away all the kittens to good homes. tree →
• The shop sold the toys at giveaway prices. tree →

Note

The noun is one word: «a giveaway». The verb is two words: «give away» (gave away, given away). Online giveaways can be scams: never share personal details to win a prize.