两个短语都表示“散发,发出”之意,一般可以换用,但侧重点有所不同。
give off通常用来表示“散发,发出”某种气体或气味。
如: Boiling water gives off steams. 开水散发出蒸汽。
give out 则通常用来表示“散发”某种光,声,热,信号等物理现象。此外,它还可以表示“分发,宣布,耗尽”等现象。
如: The leaves gave out a whirring sound. 树叶发出沙沙声。
The sun gives out light and heat to the earth. 太阳向地球发出光和热。
The ship gave out radio signals for help. 船发出无线电信号求助。
It was feared that food supplies would give out before the besieged town could be relieved. 都害怕在那城市解围之前断了粮。