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cave in

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cave in

[for a roof or ceiling] to collapse. The roof of the mine caved in when no one was there. The tunnel caved in on the train.

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cave in (to someone or something)

Fig. to give in to someone or something. Finally, the manager caved in to the customer's demands. I refuse to cave in under pressure from my opponent.

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cave in (to somebody/something)

to agree to something after originally opposing it give in (to somebody/something) If the pressure from your parents becomes too strong, you might cave in and go to graduate school.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of cave in (to suddenly fall inward)

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cave in

1. Fall in, collapse, as in The earthquake made the walls cave in. [Early 1700s]

2. Give in, admit defeat, as in The prosecutor's questions soon made the witness cave in. [Early 1800s]

3. Collapse, faint, or die from exhaustion, as in After a twenty-mile hike I caved in. [Mid-1800s]

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cave in

v.

To give way; collapse: The sides of the snow fort caved in. The mine shaft caved in on a group of miners, but fortunately they were rescued.

See also: cave