life belt
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material: A device designed to keep a person afloat in water, typically made of cork, kapok, or inflatable material and shaped like a ring or horseshoe. 2. A belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt: A safety harness or belt that secures a person to a fixed structure to prevent falls, especially used in construction, window cleaning, or certain sports.
Usage Examples
- As a buoyancy aid:
- The ship's crew threw a life belt to the man who had fallen overboard.
- Passengers were instructed on the location of life belts under their seats.
- As a safety restraint:
- The window cleaner securely fastened his life belt to the anchor point on the roof.
- When working at great heights, wearing a life belt is a mandatory safety precaution.
Advanced Usage
- "To throw someone a life belt": This idiom extends the literal meaning to describe providing crucial help or support to someone in a difficult situation (e.g., a financial or professional crisis).
- The unexpected contract threw the struggling company a much-needed life belt.
Variants and Related Words
- Lifebuoy (noun): A synonym, specifically referring to the ring-shaped flotation device.
- Life jacket (noun): A personal flotation device worn on the torso, as opposed to a ring held or worn.
- Safety harness (noun): A more modern and comprehensive term for the restraint system, of which a belt may be one component.
Synonyms
- For the flotation device: Lifebuoy, life preserver, life ring.
- For the safety restraint: Safety belt, harness, tether, lanyard.
Related Idioms
- "A life belt": Used metaphorically to describe anything that provides essential support in a crisis.
- The emergency loan acted as a life belt, saving the business from bankruptcy.
Noun
- a life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material
- belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt