knuckling under
Caving to pressure
Knuckling under is yielding to pressure or authority, often reluctantly.
The phrase suggests submission after resistance—giving in when you'd rather not: After months of holding out, the union finally knuckled under to management's demands.
It implies capitulation rather than willing agreement.
Bending under pressure
- cavingSport of exploring caverns
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
succumbing · giving in · backing down · bowing · folding · conceding · relenting · deferring
Defeated completely
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- conqueredDefeated and took control
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- overpoweredExcessively dominant or conquered
subdued · crushed · routed · humiliated · overthrown · collapse · downfall · trounced
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- docilityReadiness to submit
- passivityState of non-resistance
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
- weaknessDeficiency in force
timidity · submissiveness · spinelessness · servility · cowardice · resignation · impotence · defeatism
yielding
Bending under pressure
- cavingSport of exploring caverns
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
acquiescence · succumbing · giving in · backing down · bowing · folding · conceding · relenting · deferring · kowtowing
vanquished
Defeated completely
overpowered · subdued · crushed · routed · humiliated · overthrown · collapse · downfall · trounced · dominated
meekness
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- docilityReadiness to submit
- passivityState of non-resistance
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
weakness · timidity · submissiveness · spinelessness · servility · cowardice · resignation · impotence · defeatism · capitulating
knuckling underresisting
Actively opposing pressure
standing one's ground · fighting back · digging in · holding out · pushing back
knuckling underdefying
Actively refusing obedience
defiance · rebelling · insubordination · disobeying · mutinying
knuckling underpersevering
Maintaining effort despite difficulty
weathering the storm · hanging tough · standing tall · staying strong · holding firm