cave in

USAGE SUMMARY

"cave in" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an instance where a structure, typically a roof, collapses inward. For example, "The mine's roof caved in, trapping the miners inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The judges cave in.

The New York Times - Arts

cave in?

The New York Times

A cave in the Hebrides.

The New Yorker

Sadly, some doctors cave in.

The New York Times

They crackle before they cave in.

The New York Times - Food

Do you cave in helplessly, like Gabita?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But it was not a total cave-in.

The Economist

Street cave-ins are plummeting.

The New York Times

#CarterRuck caves-in.

The Telegraph

Waves lapped at the caved-in bricks.

The New Yorker

They die of cave-ins and blowouts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "cave in" to bridge the gap between physical events and psychological surrenders, making it ideal for narrative transitions.

Common error

Avoid using "cave in" when the surrender is purely formal and lacks the connotation of 'collapsing' under pressure. For instance, in a peaceful treaty, "sign" or "agree to" is often more precise than implying a weak-willed collapse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cave in" functions primarily as a phrasal verb or a noun phrase. As a phrasal verb, it consists of the verb "cave" and the adverbial particle "in". Ludwig AI confirms its validity across multiple registers, noting its use in describing both literal structural failures and figurative psychological surrenders.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cave in" is a robust English phrase that effectively describes structural failure and the act of yielding to pressure. Ludwig AI identifies it as highly usable, appearing in 50 exact instances across premium sources. While it acts as a verb for literal collapses—like roofs or mines—it is equally powerful as a metaphor for social or political capitulation. Writers should be mindful of the noun-verb distinction, typically using a hyphen for the noun form ("cave-in"). Overall, it remains a staple of both descriptive and narrative English, providing a vivid sense of inward failure under external weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give in

Refers exclusively to yielding or surrendering to pressure rather than structural collapse.

collapse

A more formal and direct term for structural failure or a sudden loss of physical integrity.

fall in

Specifically denotes an inward structural collapse, often used for roofs or ceilings.

buckle

Suggests a physical bending or giving way under weight or emotional strain.

capitulate

A significantly more formal term for surrendering after negotiations or resistance.

succumb

Implies a passive failure to resist temptation, disease or overwhelming force.

relent

Suggests becoming less severe or finally agreeing to something after earlier refusal.

crumble

Emphasizes the breaking into small pieces during a collapse or gradual decay.

acquiesce

Indicates a reluctant acceptance of something without protest.

fold

Informal usage suggesting a quick surrender, especially under financial or competitive pressure.

FAQs

What is the difference between "cave in" and "give in"?

While both can mean surrendering, "give in" is purely figurative. In contrast, "cave in" often retains a sense of heavy weight or external pressure, mirroring a physical structure's collapse.

Should "cave in" be hyphenated?

It depends on the part of speech. Use "cave in" without a hyphen as a verb, but use a hyphen for the noun form, as in a "cave-in" inside a mine.

What can I use instead of "cave in" in a formal report?

In formal or academic contexts, you should consider using "capitulate", "yield", or "collapse" depending on whether the subject is a person or a structure.

Is it correct to say the roof "caved in"?

Yes, this is a standard and very common use of the phrase. Alternatives like "fell in" or "collapsed" are also grammatically correct.