safety valve
nounDefinition of safety valve
1
: an automatic escape or relief valve (as for a steam boiler)
2
: an outlet for pent-up energy or emotion
3
: something that relieves the pressure of overcrowding
Examples of safety valve in a Sentence
His hobbies act as a safety valve, relieving some of the pressure he feels from his job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Miller has primarily been used as a pass-blocker on obvious passing downs but has displayed an ability to make catches out of the backfield as a safety valve. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "Establishing 2nd running back behind Boobee Whitlow vital for Auburn," 6 Sep. 2019 Mr Mubarak allowed a bit of space for opposition, as a safety valve and a sop to the West. — The Economist, "Many Egyptians miss their deposed president, Hosni Mubarak," 22 Aug. 2019 On Danny Shelton’s sack, Bentley stayed in coverage and muddled the middle of the defense, taking away a Savage safety valve. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Patriots’ Ja’Whaun Bentley looks ready to contribute," 11 Aug. 2019 Shutting-in oil and gas production with underwater safety valves in wells is a standard procedure conducted for safety and environmental reasons. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "Production starts to return in Gulf after Hurricane Barry," 16 July 2019 With McCain playing deep center and serving as a safety valve, Fitzpatrick could line up against elite tight ends and slot receivers. — Omar Kelly, sun-sentinel.com, "Will third time be a charm for Dolphins safeties Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald? | Countdown to camp," 16 July 2019 Pinkney can be a reliable safety valve for whoever emerges under center for the Commodores. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Top 100 College Football Players of 2019: Nos. 100–51," 9 July 2019 One possibility would be for the printing of census forms without the citizenship question to continue, but as a safety valve should all legal appeals fail. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "President Trump sows confusion over census plans and addition of a citizenship question," 3 July 2019 On the other hand, farceurs and satirists have always focused on power — without regard to deserving — and thus these genres have always functioned as safety valves and indicators of a free society. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "Is this the end of comedy? Why it’s never been harder to tell a joke," 19 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'safety valve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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