1 B1 neutral
(of a structure) To collapse inward suddenly.
"The miners were trapped when part of the tunnel caved in above them."
inseparable
cave in
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To collapse inward; or to yield to pressure and agree to something after resisting.
In plain English
To fall down and collapse inward like a roof collapsing, or to give up and agree to something after someone pressures you.
What does "cave in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To yield to pressure or demands after initially resisting.
"The government eventually caved in to public protests and reversed the policy."
“
Republicans caved in to pressure from the White House.
— The Washington Post, 2018
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The walls or roof of a cave (or hollow space) folding inward and collapsing.
Actually means
To fall down and collapse inward like a roof collapsing, or to give up and agree to something after someone pressures you.
Usage tip
The literal sense (structural collapse) and the figurative sense (capitulating under pressure) are both common. In the figurative sense, it implies the person resisted for a time before yielding. Often used with 'to': 'caved in to pressure.'
Words that pair with "cave in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pressure demands roof tunnel resistance lobbying
How to conjugate "cave in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cave in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
caves in
he/she/it
Past simple
caved in
yesterday
Past participle
caved in
have + pp
-ing form
caving in
continuous
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Other ways to say "cave in"
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