give way

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The phrase "give way" is a verb that can have a few different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. Let's break down these meanings and how to use them.

Basic Definition

1. Stop Operating or Functioning: When something "gives way," it stops working or functioning properly.

   • Example: "The car broke down on the way to town when the engine finally gave way."

2. End Resistance: This meaning refers to something yielding or surrendering under pressure or force.

   • Example: "The door gave way to repeated blows with a battering ram."

3. Move to Make Room: In this context, "give way" means to move aside to allow someone or something to pass.

   • Example: "The crowd was told to give way so the emergency vehicle could get through."

Advanced Usage

• You might encounter "give way" in more formal or literary contexts, often to describe situations where something collapses or fails dramatically.
  • Example: "The old bridge finally gave way under the weight of the heavy trucks."

Word Variants

• Giving way (noun): This can refer to the act of yielding or collapsing.
  • Example: "The giving way of the roof caused significant damage to the building."

Different Meanings

While "give way" primarily refers to stopping operation, yielding under pressure, or moving aside, it can also be used metaphorically: - Example: "Her confidence gave way to doubt during the presentation."

Synonyms

• Collapse: to fall down or fail.
• Yield: to give in or surrender.
• Break down: to stop functioning, often used for machines.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• Give way to: This phrase can mean to allow something else to take precedence or control.
  • Example: "The excitement of the game gave way to disappointment when the team lost."

Summary

To summarize, "give way" is a versatile phrase in English. It can describe the failure of machines, the yielding of structures under pressure, or the act of moving aside for others.

Academic

Verb

1. stop operating or functioning
   • The engine finally went
   • The car died on the road
   • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
   • The coffee maker broke
   • The engine failed on the way to town
   • her eyesight went after the accident
2. end resistance, as under pressure or force
   • The door yielded to repeated blows with a battering ram
3. 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
4. move in order to make room for someone for something
   • The park gave way to a supermarket
   • `Move over,' he told the crowd

Synonyms

• fail
• go bad
• die
• give out
• conk out
• go
• break
• break down
• yield
• collapse
• fall in
• cave in
• give
• founder
• move over
• ease up