The phrase "gives a whirl" means to try or attempt something. Some antonyms for this phrase could include giving up, quitting, avoiding, or ignoring. Giving up means to stop trying, while quitting means to intentionally leave something behind. Avoiding means to purposely stay away from something, and ignoring means to not pay attention to it. Antonyms for "giving a whirl" can indicate a lack of effort, interest, or commitment. However, it's important to remember that sometimes it's necessary to give up, quit, avoid, or ignore certain things in order to focus on what truly matters.