give way

• Céder, reculer ou laisser passer quelqu'un ou quelque chose ; s'emploie aussi pour indiquer une rupture ou une défaillance sous pression, ou le fait d'être remplacé par autre chose.

To yield, retreat, or allow someone or something to pass; also used to mean to collapse or break under pressure, or to be replaced by something else.

1. Yield or allow to passB1formal

   To allow someone or something to go first, or to stop in order to let another vehicle pass.

   céder le passage

   • You must give way to pedestrians at the crosswalk.
   • The driver gave way to the ambulance.
   • In many countries, cars must give way to bicycles.

2. Collapse or breakB2formal

   To break, collapse, or fail under pressure.

   céder, s'effondrer

   • The old bridge finally gave way under the weight of the truck.
   • The floor gave way, and he fell into the basement.
   • The ice gave way, and the skater fell into the water.

3. Be replaced byB2formal

   To be replaced or superseded by something else.

   être remplacé par

   • Sadness gave way to joy when she heard the good news.
   • The old traditions gave way to modern practices.
   • His anger gave way to understanding after the explanation.