Knuckle under Meaning in English
expression
ˈnəkəɫ/ /ˈəndɝ
NUK-uhl UN-der
nˈʌkəl/ /ˈʌndɐ
NUK-uhl UN-duh
Definition
To give in to pressure, authority, or demands, often unwillingly. It means surrendering or submitting after resisting.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and slightly old-fashioned; often used to describe someone finally giving up in a conflict or argument. Common in phrases like 'refused to knuckle under'. Not literal—never used for actual knuckles.
Spanish: ceder - rendirsePortuguese (BR): ceder - se submeterPortuguese (PT): ceder - submeter-seChinese (Simplified): 屈服 - 让步Chinese (Traditional): 屈服 - 讓步Hindi: झुक जाना - हार मान लेनाArabic: يستسلم - يرضخBengali: আত্মসমর্পণ করা - মেনে নেওয়া (চাপে)Russian: уступать - подчинятьсяJapanese: 屈服する - 従う (しぶしぶ)Vietnamese: nhượng bộ - chịu khuất phụcKorean: 굴복하다 - 항복하다Turkish: boyun eğmek - teslim olmakUrdu: جھک جانا - ہار مان لیناIndonesian: menyerah - tunduk (dengan terpaksa)
Example Sentences
He didn't want to knuckle under to his boss's demands.
basic
Sometimes you have to knuckle under and follow the rules.
basic
The team refused to knuckle under despite losing.
basic
If you keep pushing, he'll eventually knuckle under.
natural
She hates to knuckle under when she knows she's right.
natural
No one wants to knuckle under to unfair rules.
natural