something gave

Kazuo Ishiguro氏のThe Buried Giantを読んでいます。
But their efforts were in vain: with each moment, the two swords seemed to fasten more thoroughly, and surely there was nothing for it but to abandon the weapons and start the contest afresh. Neither man, though, appeared willing to give up, even as the effort threatened to drain them of their strength. Then something gave and the blades came apart.
"gave" ですが、名詞の "give" あるいは "giving" はそれぞれ2/11/2015と10/6/2015に取り上げました。
今回は動詞として使われていますね。辞書の説明を見ます。
・Oxford English Dictionary: Yield or give way to pressure.: the heavy door didn't give until the fifth push
・Collins Dictionary: to yield or break under force or pressure: this surface will give if you sit on it