to give way / soak
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to give way
To move aside or back in order to make room or avoid an obstacle. (Strong verb: wich, ist gewichen)
Alle mussten zur Seite weichen, als der Krankenwagen mit Blaulicht kam.
Everyone had to give way when the ambulance came with its blue lights flashing.
This verb has two conjugations. The meanings 'Platz machen' (to make room / give way) and 'nachlassen' (to subside / give way) are strong verbs (wich, ist gewichen). The meaning 'weich machen' (to soften) is a weak verb (weichte, hat geweicht).
Die Angst wich langsam der Erleichterung.
The fear slowly gave way to relief.
In the meaning 'Platz machen' (to make room / give way), the thing or person one gives way to is often in the dative. The auxiliary verb for forming the perfect tense is 'sein' (to be), because it describes movement or a change of location.
Der Fußgänger musste dem Fahrradfahrer weichen.
The pedestrian had to give way to the cyclist.
When the strong verb 'weichen' (to give way) is used with abstract nouns such as 'Angst' (fear), 'Zweifel' (doubt), 'Farbe' (color), or 'Spannung' (tension), the figurative meaning 'nachlassen' (to subside) or 'verschwinden' (to disappear) is meant.
Nach dem Streit wich die Anspannung einer peinlichen Stille.
After the argument, the tension gave way to an awkward silence.
The idiom 'jemandem nicht von der Seite weichen' means to always stay with someone and support them. The person one stays with is in the dative.
In der schweren Zeit ist er seiner Familie nicht von der Seite gewichen.
During the difficult time, he did not leave his family's side.
The weak form 'weichen' (weichte, hat geweicht) is directly related to the adjective 'weich' (soft). It literally means to make something soft or let it become soft, usually through liquid.
Man sollte die Bohnen über Nacht in Wasser weichen lassen.
You should let the beans soak in water overnight.
to accompany
'begleiten' and 'jemandem nicht von der Seite weichen' can both mean that you stay with a person. 'begleiten' is the normal word when you go or travel somewhere together with someone. The expression 'jemandem nicht von der Seite weichen' (not to leave someone's side) is stronger: it means that you stay with someone almost the whole time, often in order to help, comfort, or protect them. 'begleiten' is more neutral; the fixed expression shows more closeness and support.
Nach der Operation ist ihr Bruder ihr nicht von der Seite gewichen.
After the operation, her brother did not leave her side.
Morgen begleite ich meine Mutter zum Arzt.
Tomorrow I am accompanying my mother to the doctor.