red zone

[red zohn]

noun

1. Football.,  an unofficial term for the area at either end of the field between the 20-yard line and the goal line, considered critical for defense.

   The team’s top-notch defense has allowed opponents to score a touchdown on only 39 percent of trips inside the red zone.

2. an area colored red on a dial or other instrument of measurement, alerting the viewer to unsafe conditions when the needle or indicator enters it.

   To avoid engine damage, do not run the engine with the tachometer needle in the red zone!

3. a restricted area, sometimes specially labeled or marked with red.

   Do not enter the red zone without donning proper PPE.

4. any range of conditions considered unsafe or likely to generate serious problems, such as for physical or financial health.

   Watch that you don’t end up in the red zone with all that stress and so little sleep.

   Some countries are so far into the red zone with debt that marginal changes in repayment terms make no difference.

Word History and Origins

Origin of red zone¹

First recorded in 1940–45; 1970–75 red zone for def. 1

Example Sentences

Russians often refer to the areas along the Dnipro as the “red zone,” where any civilian or vehicle will be targeted.

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Denver have the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.

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“We can’t go back outside the red zone, but when we’re in the red zone, I think we need to come off the ball, and then it’s a lot more condensed down there, so tight coverage, so contested catches, just coming down with the ball when the ball’s in the air and in the run game, just getting off the ball, driving and getting in the paint.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even without its top red zone receiver and its steadiest offensive linemen, USC’s offense didn’t show many signs of slowing down last Saturday.

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The Trailblazers began their first drive with a tipped-pass interception from Lancers freshman defensive back Kiingbaraka Kizzee — stalling in the red zone and settling for a field goal — and ended the first half with a blocked field goal and a 71-yard touchdown return from junior Matthew Zapien.

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