After years of neglect, the rusty old bridge could give way at any time.
break down, literally or metaphorically; "The wall collapsed"; "The business collapsed"; "The dam broke"; "The roof collapsed"; "The wall gave in"; "The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice"
A peculiarly British term used on the most popular road sign "Give Way signs" are found where a road terminates on another, where most other countries would place a "stop" sign Give Way is a shortened version of "give right of way" Before the Worboys report, these signs actually read "HALT at major road ahead" - Give Way is a marked improvement Stop signs are reserved for more dangerous junctions
move in order to make room for someone for something; "The park gave way to a supermarket"; "`Move over,' he told the crowd"
stop operating or functioning; "The engine finally went"; "The car died on the road"; "The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town"; "The coffee maker broke"; "The engine failed on the way to town"; "her eyesight went after the accident"
end resistance, especially under pressure or force; "The door yielded to repeated blows with a battering ram