A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

give something a rest • put something to rest
give something a rest—stop talking about or doing smth. for
a period of time: I think you ought to give football a rest for
a time.
put something to rest—(also: lay something to rest) 
1
. dispel
fears, rumors, etc.: The day is approaching when other popular
misconceptions will be put to rest. 2. settle an issue, dispute,
etc., especially so as to be free of it: I am hoping to do enough
research on it to finally put it to rest this fall.
give something off • give something out
give something off —(of smell, vapor, etc.) release; send out:
The Daimler stood patiently in the sun outside, its leather
giving off a hot smell.
give something out—
1
. hand smth. out; distribute smth.:
Several people have been arrested in Red Square for giving
out leaflets. 2. make smth. known; announce smth.: Whatever
made you give such a terrible piece of news out on the morning
of the girl’s wedding? 3. (of sound, light, etc.) send out: The
ship gave out radio signals for help until she sank.
Note: 
Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase
give something away
—
1
. give smth. free of charge: The young
man gave all his possessions away and went to live on a small
island. 2. (of prizes, awards, etc.) distribute: Do you really think
it necessary to drag the Mayor in, just to give away a few cer-
tificates to kids. 3. betray a secret; reveal smth.: Kylie was very
secretive about reports that she’s planning to wed Martinez …
but singer Dannii has given the secret away. 4. waste smth.
such as an opportunity, etc.: If you give your chances away like
that, how can you expect to win the game.
give something the go-by • let something go by
give something the go-by —
1
. evade or ignore smth.: There is
one other subject to which I would like to refer, lest I should
be accused of deliberately giving it the go-by. 2. surpass or
outstrip a car, boat, etc.: As we gave the staggering rice-boats
the go-by, I reflected that I was looking upon the River of the
Lost Footsteps.
let something go by —pass up a chance for smth.; fail to make
use of smth.: Don’t let the opportunity go by to tell them why
it’s important to be honest.