Difference between phrasal verbs: Cave in / Fall in?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello

Is there any difference between these phrasal verbs? I know both mean ‘to collapse’ but I was told they were not synonyms. Could somebody help me?

Thanks.

2

Hi Ana

Cave in would be exclusive to, well caves and such like. :idea:

Something like a roof can fall, and sounds more natural to me.

Outside of your context you can;

fall in with the wrong crowd,
fall in love,
fall in line with authorities, rules, regulations.

So the scope of meaning is wider.

3

But one can also " cave in " under mental pressures, so it isn’t exclusive to caves. :slight_smile:

Caves already exist, that’s why they are called caves. Caving-in of ground is due to subsidence.

Kitos.