give way
1. UK to allow other vehicles to go past before you move onto a road:
You have to give way to traffic coming from the right.

2. to stop arguing or fighting against someone or something:
Neither of them will give way, so they could be arguing for a very long time.
Don't give way to your fears.

3. to break, especially when under pressure from strong forces:
Because of an unusually strong current, the bridge's central support gave way, tipping a coach into the river.

[TahlilGaran] Advanced Learner's Dictionary ▲

give way
to break or fall down suddenly.
Those wooden steps are old, and I'm afraid one of them will give way, so we need to replace them this weekend.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give way
to collapse, to fail
The dam gave way and the water flooded the farmland below.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give way
v.
1. To go back; retreat.
The enemy army is giving way before the cannon fire.
Compare: FALL BACK.
2. To make room, get out of the way.
The children gave way and let their mother through the door.
Compare: MAKE WAY.
3. To lose control of yourself; lose your courage or hope; yield.
Mrs. Jones didn't give way during the flood, but she was very frightened.
Compare: GIVE UP, LOSE ONE'S HEAD.
4. To collapse; fail.
The river was so high that the dam gave way.
Mary's legs gave way and she fainted.
Compare: GIVE OUT⁴, LET GO(1a).
5. To let yourself be persuaded; give permission.
Billy kept asking his mother if he could go to the movies and she finally gave way.
Compare: GIVE IN.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲