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safety valve
noun
- a device that, when actuated by a gas or vapor pressure above a predetermined level, opens and allows the gas or vapor to escape until its pressure is reduced to a pressure equal to or below that of the predetermined level. Compare relief valve.
- a harmless outlet for emotion, tension, etc.
safety valve
noun
- a valve in a pressure vessel that allows fluid to escape when a predetermined level of pressure has been reached
- a harmless outlet for emotion, energy, tension, etc
Word History and Origins
Origin of safety valve1
Example Sentences
Coffee aficionados who monitor the temperature of their coffee drinks like the safety valve of a nuclear reactor will probably be happier with hot milk.
According to a company report, when water gushed into a drum holding hot coke — an oil byproduct — the reaction triggered a safety valve that relieved the pressure.
The field hospital was built, in part, as a safety valve for times like this.
This safety valve allows citizens to sound the alarm and challenge those whose views are hateful and totalitarian.
[W] thout an exchange-rate safety valve you need an alternate way to rebalance economies.
A feed-pump forced water into the boilers; each had a safety-valve with a lever and weight.
The engine boy having fixed the safety-valve while he fished for eels, caused an explosion of the boiler.
But Judge Leslie understood and had much sympathy for his pupil—possibly believed in the virtue of the safety-valve.
Variance appeared to be necessary to their existence; a safety-valve, for the ill humors they could not throw out upon others.
These he set in the embers, by the side of the former, first opening a safety-valve in each.
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