Words / C1

SAKR-if-ys/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/

To sacrifice is to give up something valuable for a more important aim: sacrifice sleep, sacrifice accuracy. Give up is everyday; forgo is a formal cousin. A sacrifice (noun) is the thing given up, or a religious offering. Do not sacrifice the n to tidy an abstract, and do not call a cut “efficiency” if it removes cover.

Meaning

To give up something valuable for a more important aim.

Examples

• “Do not sacrifice the night-shift n to keep the abstract tidy.”
• “Give up is everyday. Trade off names both sides. A martyr is a person, not a methods choice. Losing cover is a risk register line. Tidiness in a PDF is not a higher aim than the count.”

Good to know

Give up something of value. Everyday: give up. Noun: a sacrifice. The n is not optional décor for a tidy abstract.

Near in meaning

forgo

New