Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Origin: Probably from calve 'to cave in' (18-19 centuries), perhaps from Flemish inkalven; influenced by CAVE1

cave

2 verb
     
cave2

cave in

phrasal verb
1 if the top or sides of something cave in, they fall down or inwards
cave in on
The roof of the tunnel caved in on them.
2 to finally stop opposing something, especially because someone has persuaded or threatened you
cave in to
The chairman is expected to cave in to pressure from shareholders.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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