give way(短语)常指让路/让行(尤用于交通或礼让),也可指屈服/让步(给情绪、压力或对方的要求),或(结构)塌陷/断裂。最常见用法是“让路”。
Drivers must give way to pedestrians at the crossing.
司机必须在斑马线处给行人让行。
As the crowd surged forward, the barrier began to give way, and the police had to intervene quickly to prevent injuries.
人群向前涌动时,隔离栏开始松动塌陷,警方不得不迅速介入以防受伤。
/ɡɪv weɪ/
give 源自古英语 giefan(“给予”),way 源自古英语 weg(“道路、路径”)。合在一起的本义可理解为“把路让出来”,后来引申为“退让、让步”,进一步又可用于形容“支撑不住而让开位置”,即“坍塌、崩溃”。