go to water

verb1

1. •
   (informal) To give up under threat or pressure.

   • Cooper, Erin; Powell, Meg; Bovill, Monte (9 December 2022), “Robbins Island wind farm proposal approved on condition of 5-month annual shutdown due to orange-bellied parrots”, in ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “There's absolutely no doubt this company will appeal the decision of the Tasmanian EPA, and there is no doubt the EPA will go to water. There's also no doubt the federal government will go to water.”