give way

present singular third person gives way · participle present giving way · past gave way · participle past given way

1. To yield to persistent persuasion.

   The mother gave way to her crying child.

   1 more example

   Whether in consequence of this or not, the Liverpool company eventually gave way, and proceeded to build its portion of the work with some ill grace.

   1957 September 28, M. D. Greville and G. O. Holt, “Railway Development in Manchester—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 649

   Synonyms: accede

2. To collapse or break under physical stresses.

   After years of neglect, the rusty old bridge could give way at any time.

   2 more examples

   During the day conditions worsened quickly—for example, a 2-6-0 on the Uckfield line suddenly encountered flood water high enough to enter its ashpan and extinguish its fire—until lock gates up-river at Barcombe gave way and a tidal wave rolled down the valley meeting head-on a spring tide rolling up from the coast.

   1961 January, “Talking of Trains: Flooding at Lewes”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5

   'Cause I'm praying for rain I'm praying for tidal waves I wanna see the ground give way I wanna watch it all go down

   1997, “Ænema”, performed by Tool

3. To be followed, succeeded, or replaced by.

   Winter gave way to spring.

   1 more example

   The native-born and the "naturalised" locomotives have been giving way to the standardised types, of which the L.M.S.R. class "5" 4-6-0 has led the way and has penetrated the furthest.

   1958 July 28, J. P. Wilson, “Scottish Soliloquy”, in Railway Magazine, page 495

4. To give precedence to other road users.

   At the crossing, cars must give way to pedestrians.

   Synonyms: come around, concede

5. To allow another person to intervene to make a point or ask a question whilst one is delivering a speech.

   "Yes, I will give way."

6. To allow the expression of (a pent-up emotion, grief, etc.).

   Seeing my eye fixed upon him, he went outside to give way to his grief in the passage.

   1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC

7. imperativeTo begin rowing.