Past tense of cave; either to explore caves, or more commonly, to give in or surrender to pressure or demands.
From Old French cave, from Latin cavus meaning 'hollow.' As a verb meaning 'to yield,' it's often combined with 'in' (cave in), developing as American slang in the 19th century.
When a negotiator says someone 'caved,' psychology research shows it usually involves both rational decision-making and emotional fatigue. People who 'cave under pressure' often experience regret later, even if giving in was logical.
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