give way - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

give way (third-person singular simple present gives way, present participle giving way, simple past gave way, past participle given way)

  1. To yield to persistent persuasion.
    The mother gave way to her crying child.
    • 1957 September, M. D. Greville and G. O. Holt, “Railway Development in Manchester—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 649:
      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.
  2. To collapse or break under physical stresses.
    After years of neglect, the rusty old bridge could give way at any time.
    • 1961 January, “Talking of Trains: Flooding at Lewes”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5:
      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.
    • 1997, “Ænema”, performed by Tool:
      '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
  3. To be followed, succeeded, or replaced by.
    Winter gave way to spring.
    • 1958 July, J. P. Wilson, “Scottish Soliloquy”, in Railway Magazine, page 495:
      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.
  4. To give precedence to other road users.
    At the crossing, cars must give way to pedestrians.
  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.).
  7. (chiefly imperative, as command to the crew) To begin rowing.

to yield to persistent persuasion

to give precedence to other road users

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