water wings

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   A pair of inflatable bands worn on the upper arms to help a person float while learning to swim.

   Grammar: Always plural: a pair of water wings.

   Patterns

   • wear water wings
   • a pair of water wings

   My daughter wore her water wings in the shallow end.

   He blew up the water wings before the first swim lesson.

   The pool rule says children under five must use water wings.

2. 2nounpluralfigurativeinformal

   Something that gives a beginner or struggling person false or temporary security, used figuratively.

   Grammar: Figurative and usually informal: take off the water wings.

   Patterns

   • take off the water wings

   The new hire had to take off the water wings and handle clients alone.

   Government loans acted as water wings for the struggling firm.

Common combinations

blow up water wings

He blew up the water wings for his sister.

a pair of water wings

She packed a pair of water wings in the beach bag.

inflatable water wings

Inflatable water wings slipped off her wet arms.

take off the water wings

It is time to take off the water wings and swim.

wear water wings

Beginners often wear water wings.

Synonyms and how they differ

armbands

Armbands is the common British term for the same inflatable bands.

floaties

Floaties is a casual American word that may also mean any small pool float.

swimming aids

Swimming aids is a broader term that includes foam boards and rings.

life jacket

A life jacket covers the torso and is a safety device, unlike water wings, which are only a learning aid.

Word family

water noun

the liquid you swim in

wing noun

a part of a bird or plane that helps it fly

swimmer noun

someone who swims

float verb

to rest on the surface of water

Commonly confused: water wings or life jacket?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “water wings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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