something that is given away, especially as a gift or premium: A pocket calculator was offered as a giveaway with every new subscription to the magazine.
a radio or television program on which prizes are given away to contestants in a question-and-answer game.
a tax law or other legislation designed to benefit one segment of the population, one area or state, etc.: a giveaway that benefited only the very rich.
an unscrupulous deal, especially one that benefits some while defrauding others.
Sports. any careless loss of possession of a ball, puck, etc., or other offensive lapse that leads to a score by the opponent.
adjective
constituting a giveaway: a giveaway newspaper.
Origin of giveaway
1870–75, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase give away
Words nearby giveaway
give an inch and they'll take a mile, give a pain, give a piece of one's mind, give as good as one gets, give a shit, giveaway, give a wide berth, giveback, give bad marks to, give birth to, give chase
Make a gift of, bestow, as in I decided to give away all my plants. [c. 1400]
2
Present a bride to the groom in a marriage ceremony, as in Her father gave Karen away. [c. 1700]
3
Reveal or make something known, often unintentionally; also, betray or expose someone. For example, She gave away her true feelings, or He gave away his accomplices. This idiom is sometimes put as give oneself away, as in If you don't want the family to know about your gambling, don't give yourself away by spending your winnings. [Late 1800s]