yield to temptation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yield to temptation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is furthering an argument that someone should give in to an inclination that is looked down upon. For example, "The devil on his shoulder whispered that it would be alright to yield to temptation and spend his entire savings on a sailboat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

You yield to temptation.

The New York Times

I yield to temptation and text my son (who I know isn't driving) once a day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Faced with the choice between reaching across the aisle and ginning up turnout by appeals to the base, parties often yield to temptation.

The Economist

But the courts should not yield to temptation for two reasons.

Forbes

Not only are we hungrier but we are more likely to yield to temptation thinking we've already paid for our sins in the gym.

TechCrunch

If employees can figure out how to get paid before the fat hits the fire, they may well yield to temptation.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Not only can I dress up and flirt, seduce and consume, overcome challenges, yield to temptations, take risks, fail, try again – I can think about it all, and what I think will matter.

The Guardian

So he yields to temptation.

The New York Times

All goes well until Mr. Thornton's character yields to temptation with Ms. Theron's.

The New York Times - Arts

On a recent night, I yielded to temptation and paid a visit to my neighborhood den of sin: the newly opened casino at MGM National Harbor.

The Washington Post

The hunter Max, shaken by his poor performance in a shooting contest, yields to temptation and decides he must have magic bullets for a subsequent contest, which he must win if he is to marry his beloved Agathe.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yield to temptation" when emphasizing a conscious, although perhaps regretted, decision to indulge in something considered undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "yield to temptation" to describe situations where indulgence is harmless or beneficial. This phrase carries a connotation of wrongdoing or regret, and applying it inappropriately weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yield to temptation" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action of surrendering or giving in. Ludwig AI suggests that it furthers an argument that someone should give in to an inclination that is looked down upon, like in this sentence: "The devil on his shoulder whispered that it would be alright to yield to temptation and spend his entire savings on a sailboat."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yield to temptation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe succumbing to an alluring but potentially harmful desire. As highlighted by Ludwig, it often implies a regrettable decision. While predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans across various contexts. To avoid misuse, be mindful of the phrase's negative connotation, reserving it for scenarios where the indulgence is genuinely questionable. Consider alternatives like "succumb to temptation" or "give in to temptation" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succumb to temptation

Replaces "yield" with "succumb", emphasizing the act of giving way to temptation.

give in to temptation

Uses "give in" instead of "yield", portraying a more active surrender to temptation.

fall prey to temptation

Emphasizes the vulnerability of the individual facing temptation.

be overcome by temptation

Highlights the overpowering nature of temptation.

submit to temptation

Conveys a sense of forced compliance or inevitable defeat against temptation.

surrender to temptation

Implies a complete abandonment of resistance against temptation.

give way to temptation

Suggests a gradual weakening of resolve before finally succumbing.

lose the battle against temptation

Framing the situation as a struggle that results in defeat.

cannot resist temptation

Highlights an inability to withstand the allure of temptation.

be seduced by temptation

Suggests being drawn in by the allure of temptation.

FAQs

How can I use "yield to temptation" in a sentence?

You can use "yield to temptation" to describe a situation where someone gives in to something they know they shouldn't, like "Despite being on a diet, she "yielded to temptation" and ate the entire cake".

What's an alternative to "yield to temptation"?

Alternatives include "succumb to temptation", "give in to temptation", or "fall prey to temptation", each with slight nuances in meaning.

Is it always negative to "yield to temptation"?

The phrase generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the temptation was something undesirable to indulge in. However, it can also be used humorously to describe harmless indulgences.

What is the difference between "yield to temptation" and "resist temptation"?

"Yield to temptation" means to give in to a desire, while "resist temptation" means to successfully fight against it. The former suggests a failure of willpower, while the latter indicates strength and control.