sos
Definition
Noun: 1. An internationally recognized distress signal in radio code: A Morse code sequence (··· --- ···) representing the letters "SOS," used globally as a call for help in emergencies, especially in maritime and aviation contexts. 2. Any urgent call for help or desperate situation: By extension, any message, action, or situation indicating a severe crisis or an urgent need for assistance.
Usage Examples
- As a distress signal:
- The sinking ship transmitted an SOS that was picked up by the coast guard.
- Before the radio failed, the pilot managed to send out an SOS.
- As a metaphor for a desperate call:
- She sent me an SOS text asking me to come pick her up from the party immediately.
- The charity's latest campaign is an SOS for donations to help the flood victims.
Advanced Usage
- "to send out an SOS": To issue a call for emergency help, either literally via radio or figuratively.
- The research team, stranded by the storm, had no way to send out an SOS.
- "an SOS call/message": A message specifically formatted as or likened to the distress signal.
- We received an SOS message from the remote outpost.
Variants and Related Words
- Mayday: (n) Another internationally recognized voice procedure distress signal, used primarily in voice communications (from the French , "help me").
- The captain declared "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" over the VHF radio.
- Distress signal: (n) The general term for any signal indicating grave and imminent danger.
- Flares are a visual distress signal.
Synonyms
- Distress call: A call made in a situation of serious danger.
- Cry for help: An urgent request for assistance.
- Emergency signal: A signal indicating a state of emergency.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A cry in the wilderness: A desperate appeal for help that is ignored or goes unheard. (This is more literary and implies a lack of response, whereas an SOS is an active transmission).
- His warnings about the financial crisis were like a cry in the wilderness until it was too late.
Noun
-
an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
