cow-catcher

A train's cow-catcher pushes a fallen tree branch off the tracks.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device on the front of a locomotive: A "cow-catcher" is a metal frame or grating attached to the front of a railway locomotive. Its purpose is to push aside obstacles, such as livestock or debris, that may lie on the tracks, preventing damage to the train and reducing the risk of derailment.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The locomotive was equipped with a sturdy cow-catcher to clear stray animals from the rails. (The metal frame on the train's front pushes obstacles aside.)
  • Old steam trains often had a pointed cow-catcher at the front. (A common feature on historical locomotives.)

Advanced Usage

• "cow-catcher" in colloquial terms: The term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any device or person that clears obstacles or handles initial problems.
  • The new manager acted as a cow-catcher for the team, dealing with all the complaints before they reached the director. (The manager handled initial issues.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cowcatcher (alternate spelling): The same as "cow-catcher," often used without a hyphen.

  • The train's cowcatcher was damaged after hitting a fallen tree. (The metal frame was broken.)

• Pilot (n): Another term for a cow-catcher, especially in British English.

  • The pilot of the locomotive was designed to deflect obstacles. (The front frame of the train.)

Synonyms

• Obstacle clearer: A device that removes barriers from a path.
• Guard: A protective structure on the front of a vehicle.

Related Idioms

• "To run interference": To act as a barrier or to clear a path for someone, similar to the function of a cow-catcher.
  • She ran interference for her boss, handling all the difficult phone calls. (She cleared obstacles for him.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Push aside: To move something out of the way, as a cow-catcher does.
  • The train pushed aside the branches on the track. (The cow-catcher cleared the branches.)