buckle under

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle under

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Yield or break under strain

Pressureuncommon

Why “under”? A person or thing loses strength under pressure, weight, or demands.

“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

Pressure
“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.

Test yourself

“The bridge buckled under the load.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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

cave under

Same under pattern: pressure

Collapse beneath weight or pressure

knuckle under

Same under pattern: pressure

Submit to authority or pressure

sink under

Same under pattern: pressure

Drop below the surface, often metaphorically

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