tail-light

The car's red tail-light glows brightly in the evening fog.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rear-facing light on a vehicle: A "tail-light" is a red light located at the back of a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle, that is illuminated when the vehicle's headlights are on or when the brakes are applied, serving to signal the vehicle's presence and intentions to drivers behind.

Usage Examples

• (The rear light is not functioning.)
• (The light increases in intensity to indicate braking.)
• (A non-functioning rear light created visibility issues.)

Advanced Usage

• "tail-light warranty": A colloquial term for a warranty that covers only the most basic parts, such as the tail-light, implying minimal coverage.

  • The used car came with a tail-light warranty, meaning almost nothing was covered. (The warranty was very limited.)

• "tail-light guarantee": A phrase used to describe a guarantee that is almost worthless.

  • Don't trust that seller's tail-light guarantee; it's not worth the paper it's written on. (The guarantee is practically meaningless.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tail-light (alternative spelling: taillight): The same word, often written as one word in American English.
  • The taillight assembly includes the brake light and turn signal. (The unit containing the rear lights.)
• Tail-lamp (n): A synonym for tail-light, less common in modern usage.
  • The old car had a single tail-lamp on each side. (A rear light fixture.)

Synonyms

• Rear light: A general term for a light at the back of a vehicle.
  • The rear light was dim, making the car hard to see. (Tail-light.)
• Brake light: Specifically the bright tail-light that activates when braking.
  • His brake light was stuck on, even when he wasn't stopping. (A tail-light used for signaling braking.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Not applicable: "Tail-light" is a compound noun and does not form phrasal verbs.

Related Idioms

• "To see someone's tail-lights": To be far behind someone, especially in a race or competition.
  • The other runner was so fast that I only saw his tail-lights as he finished. (I was far behind him.)
• "To have a tail-light out": To be in a vulnerable or disadvantaged position.
  • With his tail-light out, the driver got pulled over by the police. (Having a broken tail-light caused trouble.)