Pronunciation: [ɡˈe͡ɪv ˈə͡ʊvə] (IPA) 
The phrase "gave over" may sound like it is spelled "gav over," but in reality, the "e" at the end of "gave" is pronounced as a separate vowel sound. In phonetic transcription, "gave over" can be written as /ɡeɪv ˈoʊvər/. The first syllable, "gave," is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by a consonant "v." The second syllable, "over," is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by the "v" and "ər" sounds.
"Gave over" is a colloquial expression used commonly in English-speaking regions, most notably in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. It serves as a verbal phrase that holds multiple interpretations and can be used in various contexts.
1. To concede defeat or surrender: When someone declares "gave over," it signifies that they are admitting defeat or accepting an unfavorable outcome. This expression can be used in situations where a person recognizes that further efforts will not yield success or when they acknowledge the futility of their actions.
2. To express annoyance or exasperation: "Gave over" can also be used as an exclamation expressing frustration or irritation with a person, event, or situation. It indicates a point of exasperation at the mentioned circumstances or individual's behavior.
3. To signify completion or conclusion: In certain cases, "gave over" is employed to convey the completion or conclusion of an activity or event. It denotes that a particular task or undertaking has come to an end.
Overall, "gave over" can convey surrender, irritation, or the completion of a task or event depending on the context. Due to its colloquial nature, it is not typically found in formal writing or professional settings. Instead, it is more commonly used in conversational and casual contexts where its meaning can be understood within the given situation.
The phrase "gave over" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words, "gave" and "over". However, we can look at the etymology of these individual words.
1. "Gave": The word "gave" is the past tense of the verb "give". It originated from the Old English word "giefan", which means "to give or bestow". The Old English word shares the same Germanic root as the Dutch word "geven" and the German word "geben".
2. "Over": The word "over" comes from the Old English word "ofer", which means "above or beyond" and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*uber". It has cognates in other Germanic languages such as the Dutch word "over" and the German word "über".
