| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Cave In. | | |
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Shut up! have done! I’ll cave in his head (break it). His fortune has caved in (has failed). The bank has caved in (come to a smash). The affair caved in (fell through). Common American expressions. | 1 |
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In the lead diggings, after a shaft has been sunk, the earth round the sides falls or caves in, unless properly boarded; and if the mine does not answer, no care is taken to prevent a caving in. | 2 |
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