life-preserver
Definition
Noun: - A life-saving device: A "life-preserver" is a buoyant device designed to keep a person afloat in water, typically worn like a vest or belt. - A protective club: In historical or informal usage, a "life-preserver" can refer to a short, weighted club used for self-defense, especially by sailors or police.
Usage Examples
- (A buoyant device for flotation.)
- (A weighted club for self-defense.)
Advanced Usage
- "to throw someone a life-preserver": To offer help or assistance in a difficult situation.
- When he lost his job, his friends threw him a life-preserver by offering free lodging. (They provided crucial support.)
- "life-preserver belt": A specific type of life-preserver worn around the waist.
- The life-preserver belt inflated automatically when it hit the water. (A flotation belt.)
Variants and Related Words
- Life-preserving (adj): Serving to protect or sustain life.
- The life-preserving properties of the life jacket were tested in the lab. (Functions to keep someone alive.)
- Preserver (n): A person or thing that preserves something.
- He was a preserver of old traditions. (Someone who maintains or protects.)
- Lifeboat (n): A boat used for rescuing people from the water.
- The lifeboat was launched to save the sailors. (A rescue vessel.)
- Lifeguard (n): A person who supervises swimmers and rescues them if needed.
- The lifeguard blew his whistle to warn the swimmers. (A safety attendant.)
Synonyms
- Flotation device: Any object that helps a person float in water.
- Life jacket: A sleeveless buoyant vest worn for safety.
- Buoy: A floating object used as a marker or for support.
- Cudgel (for the club meaning): A short, heavy stick used as a weapon.
Phrasal Verbs
- Preserve from: To protect or keep safe from harm.
- The life-preserver preserved him from drowning. (Kept him safe from the water.)
- Throw on: To put on quickly.
- He threw on a life-preserver before the boat capsized. (Put on hastily.)
Related Idioms
- A life-preserver in a storm: Something that provides essential support during a crisis.
- Her savings were a life-preserver in the storm of unemployment. (A critical source of help.)
- Grab a life-preserver: To take immediate action to save oneself or others.
- When the project failed, the manager grabbed a life-preserver by calling for emergency funds. (Took urgent corrective action.)