give way
Collapse from pressure
Give way means to yield or collapse under pressure.
A bridge gives way when it can no longer support weight.
In traffic, to give way is to yield the right of way to other vehicles—the standard British term for what Americans call yielding.
Figuratively, one emotion may give way to another: Her anger gave way to sadness.
To give way is also to surrender ground in an argument or negotiation.
Fragment gradually
- buckleFrame-and-prong fastener
- cave-inUnderground passage collapse
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
- structural failureLoss of load-bearing capacity
sinkhole · landslide · roof collapse · crack · fracture · break apart · fall through · weak point
Admit something reluctantly
- deferDelay or submit
- relentCease resistance or severity
- acquiesceSubmit without protest
- back downWithdraw from a stance
step aside · make room · priority · merge · intersection · oncoming · pedestrian crossing · courtesy
Withdraw from advance
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- pull backTo retreat or disengage
- backpedalReverse one's stance
- lose groundSuffer setback in progress
strategic withdrawal · defensive position · repositioning · disengagement · evacuation · recoil · pushed back · overwhelmed
Fail mechanically or emotionally
- succumbYield to pressure
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- burst into tearsCry suddenly, uncontrollably
- fall apartBreak into pieces
lose control · overcome · grief · exhaustion · stress · fatigue · despair · temptation
crumble
Fragment gradually
- buckleFrame-and-prong fastener
- cave-inUnderground passage collapse
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
structural failure · sinkhole · landslide · roof collapse · crack · fracture · break apart · fall through · weak point · instability
concede
Admit something reluctantly
back down · step aside · make room · priority · merge · intersection · oncoming · pedestrian crossing · courtesy · precedence
fall back
Withdraw from advance
lose ground · strategic withdrawal · defensive position · repositioning · disengagement · evacuation · recoil · pushed back · overwhelmed · outflanked
break down
Fail mechanically or emotionally
- succumbYield to pressure
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- burst into tearsCry suddenly, uncontrollably
fall apart · lose control · overcome · grief · exhaustion · stress · fatigue · despair · temptation · impulse
lead to
Bring about as consequence
- collapsecollapse, cave in, cave-in, fall in, crumble
- give outhand out, share, distribute, dispense, issue
- traffic lawstraffic laws, speed limit, speed limits, traffic law, traffic rules
- archaic imperativeshark, behold, begone, beware, heed
- after yougo ahead, excuse me, pardon me, open door, usher
- fall in phrasescollapse, cave in, buckle, crumble, fall in with
give wayhold
Maintain in grasp
hold firm · hold up · stand firm · hold fast · support
give waystand firm
Refuse to retreat
hold firm · resist · persist · hold out · stand one's ground
give wayhold it together
Maintain emotional stability
stay strong · keep one's cool · stay calm · hold steady · suppress
give, way, away, given, ways, giving, forgive, hallway, forgiving