The word "give way" is spelled as /ɡɪv weɪ/. The first sound, /ɡ/, is a voiced velar stop produced with the back of the tongue against the velum. The second sound, /ɪ/, is an unrounded close-mid vowel made by positioning the tongue close to the roof of the mouth without rounding the lips. The third sound, /v/, is a voiced labiodental fricative formed by placing the lower lip against the upper teeth. The last sound, /weɪ/, is pronounced as "way," the diphthong sound made by combining the /w/ and /eɪ/ sounds.
give way (verb)
Definition: To yield or surrender to something or someone, usually due to pressure or force; to allow passage or entry; to collapse or break down.
1. To yield or surrender: Giving way refers to the act of submitting or conceding to a more powerful or persuasive force. It can be applied to both physical and figurative contexts. For instance, in a debate, if one participant presents a strong argument that convinces the others, they might give way to that person's viewpoint. Similarly, in a conflict, if one party has superior strength or authority, the weaker side may give way and accept defeat.
2. To allow passage or entry: Give way can also describe the act of permitting someone or something to pass through or enter a particular route or area. It commonly applies to traffic situations, where vehicles yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians at intersections or junctions. In this context, giving way ensures smoother traffic flow and promotes safety.
3. To collapse or break down: Another usage of give way relates to physical structures or objects succumbing to external pressure, strain, or force. For example, a bridge may give way under the weight of heavy traffic or excessive loads. Similarly, a dam could give way due to excessive water pressure, resulting in a collapse or flood. In this sense, give way conveys a sense of failure or breakdown.
Overall, give way denotes yielding, surrendering, allowing passage, or collapsing, depending on the specific context in which it is used.
The phrase "give way" can be traced back to the Old English word "giefan" which means "to give", and the Middle English word "wey" meaning "way" or "path". Over time, the two words merged to form the phrase "give way", which first appeared in the English language around the 16th century. The phrase originally referred to physically yielding or opening a path for someone or something. In the context of traffic rules and regulations, "give way" emerged in the early 20th century to denote the act of yielding or giving priority to other vehicles.