caved in

USAGE SUMMARY

"caved in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has collapsed or been destroyed, such as a building or a soft surface that has been stepped on. For example: The roof of the old stone cottage had caved in after decades of neglect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he caved in.

The New York Times

Operators have caved in.

The Economist

Roofs caved in.

The New York Times

Concept slowly caved in.

The New York Times - Arts

I caved in.

The New York Times

Then the walls caved in.

The New York Times

Ecuador's government quickly caved in.

The Economist

its roof caved in.

The Guardian

Fibonacci caved in.

The Guardian

HarperCollins caved in.

The New York Times

"Consumption literally caved in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the failure of a structure, use "caved in" to emphasize a complete collapse or inward deformation. For instance, "The old mine's entrance caved in, making it inaccessible."

Common error

Avoid using "caved in" when referring to gradual changes or declines. The phrase is most effective when describing a sudden and dramatic failure or collapse, not a slow deterioration. For example, using "deteriorated" or "declined" might be more appropriate when something loses value over time, instead of saying "The market caved in slowly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caved in" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used in the past tense. It typically describes the physical collapse of a structure or a figurative surrender under pressure, as Ludwig highlights through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "caved in" is a versatile expression used to describe both physical collapses and figurative surrenders. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in contexts such as News & Media and Academia. Alternative phrases like "collapsed" or "yielded" can be used to convey similar meanings, with nuanced differences. When using "caved in", remember that it's best suited for describing sudden and dramatic failures rather than gradual declines. This guide provides best practices and common errors to ensure effective and accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caved

Short form of "caved in", with slightly less emphasis on the depth of the action.

collapsed

Refers to a sudden loss of structure or strength, similar to a physical "caved in".

gave way

Indicates a yielding under pressure, whether literal or figurative, akin to "caved in".

buckled

Describes a bending or collapsing under pressure, often used in physical contexts.

yielded

Implies a surrender to force or pressure, similar to someone who "caved in" to demands.

crumbled

Signifies a breaking down into small fragments, suggesting a loss of integrity.

succumbed

Suggests a failure to resist pressure or temptation, similar to "caved in" when facing opposition.

fell apart

Implies a disintegration or failure to maintain cohesion, like a structure that "caved in".

surrendered

Directly indicates giving up or ceasing resistance, much like "caved in" to pressure.

capitulated

Indicates a formal surrender or agreement to terms, often after resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "caved in" in a sentence?

"Caved in" is often used to describe the collapse of a physical structure or a figurative surrender to pressure. For example, "The roof of the tunnel "caved in" after the earthquake", or "The negotiator "caved in" to the demands of the hostage takers".

What's the difference between "collapsed" and "caved in"?

While both describe a failure of structure, "collapsed" generally refers to a more general falling apart, whereas "caved in" implies an inward collapse or a hollowing out. A building might "collapse", but a cave "caves in".

What can I say instead of "caved in" when talking about yielding to pressure?

If you mean to convey someone giving in to pressure, you can use alternatives such as "yielded", "succumbed", or "capitulated" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is correct, although it's more common to say "the deal fell through" or "the deal collapsed". Saying "the deal caved in" suggests that the deal failed due to pressure or internal weaknesses, much like a physical structure might "cave in".