Meaning & use
rescuing
Last updated
“rescuing” is a form of “rescue”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Saving someone or something from danger or harm.
Grammar: Takes an object: rescuing the child.
Patterns
- rescue someone from something
- rescue something from something
The firefighters are rescuing people from the burning building.
She is rescuing a drowning cat from the river.
They are rescuing injured animals from the forest fire.
verbtransitivefigurative
Saving a situation, plan, or project from failure.
Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns like plan, project, or economy.
Patterns
- rescue something from something
The new manager is rescuing the project from collapse.
His last-minute goal is rescuing the team from defeat.
Word forms
| third person singular | rescues |
|---|---|
| past tense | rescued |
| past participle | rescued |
| present participle | rescuing |
Common combinations
- rescue operation
- The rescue operation lasted for three days.
- rescue mission
- They sent a rescue mission to the flooded area.
- rescue from danger
- He was praised for rescuing the child from danger.
Synonyms and how they differ
- save
- More general; can mean to keep safe or to set aside for later.
- free
- Focuses on releasing from confinement, not necessarily from danger.
Opposites
Word family
- rescue noun
- The act of saving someone or something.
- rescuer noun
- A person who saves others from danger.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'from' when talking about rescuing from a negative outcome.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rescuing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.