giving way
Letting others through
Giving way means yielding, whether physically or figuratively.
A structure gives way when it collapses or breaks under pressure: The old bridge finally gave way.
A person gives way when they yield to another's demands, emotions, or right-of-way: She gave way to tears.
In British traffic usage, giving way means yielding to other vehicles, equivalent to the American "yielding." The phrase can also describe one thing being replaced by another: His optimism gave way to despair.
- concedingAcknowledging another's claim
- backing downWithdrawing from a stance
- succumbingCeasing to resist
- acquiescingConsenting without protest
- yieldingBending under pressure
relent · surrender · throwing in the towel · compliance · cede · submission · compromise · letting go · sag · crumble · falling apart · buckle · coming undone · capitulating · fracture · breaking down · step aside · fold
- submissionsubmission hold, submitting, surrendering, capitulation, yielding
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
- deferencedeference, bow, curtsy, genuflect, kneeling
giving waygoing first
Acting before others
cutting in · pushing ahead · proceeding · standing one's ground · barging in
giving wayholding firm
Maintaining position resolutely
standing fast · holding it together · holding up · supporting · withstanding
giving waystanding one's ground
Refusing to yield position
holding firm · asserting oneself · pushing back · dominating · prevailing
give, way, gives, given, giver, giving, givers, forgive, forgiven