cave in

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cave in

The old mine tunnel began to cave in.

Definition

  1. Verb (intransitive):

    • To collapse inward or downward, especially suddenly. This can refer to a physical structure literally falling into an empty space below or within it.
    • To yield or submit under pressure, either physically or metaphorically (e.g., in an argument or negotiation).

  2. Noun:

    • The event or instance of a sudden collapse into a hollow space.
Usage and Examples

  • Verb (Literal Collapse):

    • The old mine roof could cave in at any moment.
    • Heavy rains caused the ground to cave in above the buried tunnel.

  • Verb (Metaphorical Yield/Surrender):

    • After hours of negotiation, they finally caved in and accepted our terms.
    • Don't cave in to peer pressure; stand by your decision.

  • Noun:

    • The cave-in trapped several miners underground. (Note: Often hyphenated as a noun.)
    • Engineers investigated the cause of the cave-in.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • The phrasal verb often implies a failure to withstand pressure, leading to a sudden change from a state of resistance to one of collapse or submission.
  • In metaphorical use, it frequently describes a person or group abandoning a position, argument, or resolve.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cave-in (n): The nominalized, often hyphenated form.
  • Collapse (v/n): A close synonym for both the physical and metaphorical senses.
  • Give way (v): A synonym, especially for the physical sense of collapsing.
  • Buckled (adj): Describes something that has bent or collapsed under pressure.
Synonyms
  • Verb: Collapse, give way, buckle, fall in, submit, yield, capitulate, give in.
  • Noun: Collapse, subsidence, implosion.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Give in: To yield or surrender. Very similar in metaphorical use to "cave in."
    • She refused to give in to their demands.
  • Break down: To cease to function; to collapse emotionally or structurally.
    • The talks broke down over key issues.
Idioms and Common Phrases
  • To cave in under the strain: To finally collapse or yield because the pressure or stress became too great.
    • The administration caved in under the strain of public protest.
  • A cave-in of morale: A metaphorical expression describing a sudden loss of spirit or confidence within a group.
    • The team's losing streak led to a complete cave-in of morale.
cave in

The old mine tunnel began to cave in.

Noun
  1. the sudden collapse of something into a hollow beneath it
Verb
  1. break down, literally or metaphorically
    • The wall collapsed
    • The business collapsed
    • The dam broke
    • The roof collapsed
    • The wall gave in
    • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice

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