give way
Idioms-
Retreat or withdraw, as in The army gave way before the enemy . [Early 1500s]
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Yield the right of way; also, relinquish ascendancy, as in The cars must give way to the parade , or The children were called inside as day gave way slowly to night . [Early 1700s]
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Collapse, fail, break down, as in The ladder gave way , or His health gave way under the strain . [Mid-1600s]
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Also, give way to . Yield to urging or demand, as in At the last minute he gave way and avoided a filibuster , or The owners gave way to their demands for a pay increase . [Mid-1700s]
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Also, give way to . Abandon oneself, lose self-control, as in She gave way to hysteria , or Don't give way to despair . [First half of 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before long, dead ends give way to a digital abyss, pulling them both into something that will alter their perception of reality and the lives of hundreds of others called to follow them.
From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2026
Journalist Reitman connects lives of nine Americans over three decades, vividly showing how ideals can give way to fear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Soon they give way to other, less welcome firsts: first broken heart, first hospital visit, first death of a loved one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
Jonny was leading when his legs started to give way on the run leg in gruelling heat.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Like it could give way, crack, and swallow me whole if I let it.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
