View synonyms for safety valve

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

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

First recorded in 1805–15

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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