1. To collapse or fall apart as a result of more weight than can be supported, as of a structure or object. Three people sitting on the chair at the same time caused it to buckle under.That rickety old roof buckled under the weight of the snow.That cardboard box will buckle under if you keep standing on it like that—get down from there!
2. To succumb to some form or cause of pressure or stress. Karen buckled under the stress of being student council president and resigned from her post.I would definitely buckle under the chaos of having seven kids. I don't know how Ryan and Lily do it!Once you're governor, you're going to have to make even bigger decisions, so you cannot buckle under on us now.
1.Lit. [for something] to collapse. With heavy trucks on it, the bridge buckled under.The table buckled under.
2.Fig. [for someone] to collapse or give in under the burden of heavy demands or great anxiety. With so much to worry about, she buckled under.I was afraid she would buckle under.
Give way, collapse owing to stress, as in One more heavy snowfall and the roof may buckle under, or She buckled under the strain of two jobs. [Late 1500s]
1. To bend, crumple or collapse under some great weight or pressure: The bridge supports were weakened by rust and buckled under the weight of the heavy truck. The metal chair I was sitting on suddenly buckled under, and I fell to the ground.
2. To succumb to or be adversely affected by some pressure: Some schools have buckled under the strain of having too many new students. I had fought very hard against their ideas but finally buckled under to them.
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