cave in on itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"cave in on itself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that collapses or implodes due to its own weight or poor structural stability. For example, "The old wooden bridge had been weakened by years of weather, and eventually it caved in on itself, falling into the river below."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In fact, I think building codes are good and necessary – no one wants to live in a home that might cave in on itself the next time it snows.

TechCrunch

Einstein was puzzled as to why the universe didn't cave in on itself.

The New York Times - Books

Her body seemed to cave in on itself then, becoming smaller and smaller, so that even Cillian, fortressed behind the wall of his love, noticed and became alarmed.

The New Yorker

At six, he does not need to see a machete-wielding villain threatening to decapitate a woman, nor does he need to watch Bond sadistically let a man drop to his death in Quantum of Solace or the face of Javier Bardem cave in on itself in Skyfall.

Independent

"It's towns like this which are at a tipping point," said Salt. "The fear is that as the non-resident population which works in the mining industry rises, the services in the local area will become so stretched that the town will cave in on itself," he said.

The Guardian

Sabbath is about your restoration; not you're further deterioration because you simply refuse to believe the world will cave in on itself without you.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The truth caved in on us, is how one person in the audience graphically described the speech.

The Guardian

"The world caved in on us," she said in the recent interview.

The New York Times

Obama then caves in on pretty much everything in return for letting it look as though he is running the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

They chose silicone because it fails under gravity it caves in on itself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If the whole mountain caved in on itself, radiation could escape and drift across the region, said Wang Naiyan, former chairman of the China Nuclear Society and a senior researcher on China's nuclear weapons program.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cave in on itself" to describe scenarios where the internal structure or integrity of something fails, leading to collapse. This is often used metaphorically to describe institutions or systems that are failing due to internal issues.

Common error

While "cave in on itself" can be used metaphorically, avoid using it in overly casual conversation where simpler terms like "fall apart" might be more appropriate. The phrase carries a sense of significant structural failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cave in on itself" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a physical process of collapse or a metaphorical disintegration. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe something collapsing due to its own weight or poor structural stability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cave in on itself" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a collapse caused by internal structural failure. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is used when something collapses or implodes due to its own weight or structural instability. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, often used to metaphorically describe the failure of systems or organizations. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that the cause of the collapse comes from within. Alternative options include phrases like "collapse inwardly" or "implode".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Collapse inwardly

Focuses on the direction of the collapse being towards the center.

Implode

Highlights a sudden and violent inward collapse.

Crumble

Suggests a gradual process of breaking down into smaller pieces.

Fall apart

Emphasizes a disintegration or breakdown into separate components.

Give way

Indicates a yielding or surrendering to pressure or force.

Succumb

Implies a defeat or submission to an overwhelming force.

Deteriorate rapidly

Focuses on the swift decline in condition or quality.

Self-destruct

Highlights the idea of an entity destroying itself.

Become unsustainable

Indicates an inability to maintain or support itself.

Disintegrate

Suggests a complete breakdown into constituent parts.

FAQs

How can I use "cave in on itself" in a sentence?

You can use "cave in on itself" to describe the literal collapse of a structure, such as "The old mine shaft threatened to cave in on itself". It can also be used metaphorically to describe the failure of a system or organization.

What can I say instead of "cave in on itself"?

You can use alternatives like "collapse inwardly", "implode", or "fall apart" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cave in on itself" or "cave in"?

"Cave in" is a more general term for collapsing. "Cave in on itself" specifically emphasizes that the collapse is happening due to the internal structure failing and folding inwards.

What's the difference between "cave in on itself" and "collapse"?

"Collapse" is a broad term for something falling down or apart. "Cave in on itself" implies a more specific type of collapse where something folds inward due to its own structural weakness or weight.