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Synonyms

life net

American  

noun

  1. a strong net or the like held by firefighters or others to catch persons jumping from a burning building.


Etymology

Origin of life net

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A daring young man, he dived for an A.M.G. life net, later sported a U.S. uniform while his old pals were marched off to jail.

From Time Magazine Archive

But the day his testimony ended, he sent one of his attorneys scuttling off to court to prepare a legal life net to jump into.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I don't believe anything will happen, and if—if he should fall—see!" and she pointed to where a detachment of city firemen stood ready with their life net.

From The Moving Picture Girls at Rocky Ranch Or, Great Days Among the Cowboys by Hope, Laura Lee

Just before reaching the life net, Joe straightened out and fell into the meshes feet first, bouncing out on a mat and from there bowing his thanks for the applause.

From Joe Strong on the Trapeze or The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer by Barnum, Vance

"I'd only fall into the life net if you did miss," said Joe coolly, though, for a moment, he thought there might be a hidden meaning in what his fellow-performer said.

From Joe Strong on the Trapeze or The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer by Barnum, Vance

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