buckle under

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle under

Meanings

1

Yield or break under strain

Submersionuncommon

Why “under”? Something goes below the surface.

“The bridge buckled under the load.”
The bridge yielded under the weight of the load.
“Her voice buckled under the strain.”
Her voice broke because of the strain.
2

Give in to pressure to do something

Submersion
“She buckled under their demands.”
She gave in to their demands under pressure.
“The minister buckled under public pressure.”
The minister gave in to public pressure.

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Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

be snowed under

Same under pattern: submersion

Be overwhelmed with too much work or correspondence

bring under

Same under pattern: submersion

Bring something under control

cave under

Same under pattern: submersion

Collapse beneath weight or pressure

duck under

Same under pattern: submersion

Lower the head or body to pass beneath something

go under

Same under pattern: submersion

Fail completely as a business or project

keep under

Same under pattern: submersion

Keep something controlled or suppressed

knuckle under

Same under pattern: submersion

Submit to authority or pressure

pull under

Same under pattern: submersion

Drag something or someone beneath the surface

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