life belt

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableBritish

   A floating ring or belt that keeps a person afloat in water until they can be rescued.

   Grammar: A regular countable noun: throw a life belt, hang up two life belts.

   Patterns

   • throw someone a life belt
   • wear a life belt

   The lifeguard threw a life belt to the swimmer struggling in the current.

   A red life belt hung on the wall beside the harbor steps.

   Passengers must know where the life belts are kept on the ferry.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   Something that gives help to a person or organization in serious trouble.

   Grammar: Used figuratively and usually singular: the loan was a life belt.

   Patterns

   • a life belt for someone
   • throw someone a life belt

   The emergency loan was a life belt for the struggling bakery.

   The new contract came as a life belt for the failing company.

   Her kind words were a life belt during a very hard year.

Word forms

Common combinations

throw a life belt

He threw a life belt to the boy in the water.

wear a life belt

Children must wear a life belt on the small boat.

inflatable life belt

The inflatable life belt popped open when pulled.

life belt and life jacket

The boat carried a life belt and a life jacket for each guest.

Synonyms and how they differ

life ring

Life ring is the common American term for the ring-shaped float, and is also used in Britain for the same object.

life jacket

A life jacket is worn on the body like a vest, while a life belt is a ring that is thrown to someone.

lifebuoy

A lifebuoy is the ring thrown from a ship or pier, almost identical to a life belt, but the word is more often used at sea.

life preserver

Life preserver is an American term that can mean either a ring or a vest and is broader than life belt.

Word family

life noun

the state of being alive

belt noun

a band worn around the waist

lifeguard noun

a person trained to rescue swimmers

lifesaver noun

something or someone that saves a life or gives great help

Commonly confused: life belt or life jacket?

Practice

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