# buckle under

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buckle-under
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to fail or give up because there is too much pressure or stress.

For teachers: to collapse or yield under the weight of physical pressure or, more commonly, psychological stress or external demands.

## Examples

- He did not buckle under the pressure of the exam.
- The bridge began to buckle under the weight of the heavy snowstorm.
- Despite their initial resolve, the small company eventually buckled under the relentless legal pressure from their much larger competitor.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He buckled under of the stress." but "He buckled under the stress." — the preposition 'under' connects directly to the noun; do not add 'of' after it.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by 'pressure', 'strain', or 'weight'.
- Teaching tip: use the physical image of a metal beam bending (buckling) to help students visualize the metaphorical collapse of a person's willpower.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.