succumb to monotony
/səˈkʌm tu məˈnɒtəni/
Meaning
To 'succumb to monotony' means to give in to, or be defeated by, a boring, repetitive, and unchanging routine. In relationships, it refers to the state where partners stop trying new things and let their connection become dull and predictable. It has a slightly tragic or warning tone.
Examples
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To prevent their long-term relationship from succumbing to monotony, they made a rule to try a new restaurant every week.
To prevent their long-term relationship from succumbing to monotony, they made a rule to try a new restaurant every week.
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Many couples eventually succumb to monotony if they stop communicating about their individual goals.
Many couples eventually succumb to monotony if they stop communicating about their individual goals.
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He feared his marriage would succumb to monotony if they didn't break out of their daily household routine.
He feared his marriage would succumb to monotony if they didn't break out of their daily household routine.
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It is easy for a daily routine to succumb to monotony without a little spontaneous adventure.
It is easy for a daily routine to succumb to monotony without a little spontaneous adventure.
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She left her job because she refused to let her career succumb to monotony.
She left her job because she refused to let her career succumb to monotony.
Common Mistakes
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✗ They succumbed with monotony after years of marriage.
✓ They succumbed to monotony after years of marriage.
The verb 'succumb' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'with' or 'by'.
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✗ We must avoid to succumb to monotony in our relationship.
✓ We must avoid succumbing to monotony in our relationship.
The verb 'avoid' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Without shared hobbies, many marriages eventually ___.
💡 Give in to a boring, repetitive routine.
Show answer
succumb to monotony
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We planned a surprise weekend trip so we wouldn't ___.
💡 Let things get dull and predictable.
Show answer
succumb to monotony