cave in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To collapse inward or downward.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The roof caved in under the weight of the snow.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To cause to collapse inward or downward.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To relent; to grant approval against one's initial will.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “cave in” mean?
To collapse inward or downward.
Is “cave in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.