Phrases & Expressions

Protection for those who face serious harm but don't qualify for refugee status.

• He applied for subsidiary protection due to the conflict.
• The court granted subsidiary protection to the applicant.

The backward angle of a wing relative to a line perpendicular to the fuselage.

• The jet's design featured a significant sweep back.
• Sweep back is common in supersonic aircraft.

A painful condition caused by dissolved gases forming bubbles in the body when a diver ascends too quickly.

• Ascend slowly to avoid the bends.
• He suffered from the bends after a deep dive.

The principle of achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

• The policy aimed for the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Utilitarians ask whether an action brings the greatest good for the greatest number.

Everything that is possible or available; the complete set of something.

• The wedding had flowers, music, photographers — the whole nine yards.
• They bought a new house, a car, new furniture, the whole nine yards.

Used humorously to describe someone who is starting to lose hair on the top of their head.

• He's getting a little thin on top.
• Don't worry about being thin on top.

A cockpit warning that the aircraft is close to the ground without landing flaps set.

• The "too low, flaps" warning sounded during the approach.
• The crew heard "too low, flaps" because they had forgotten to set landing flaps.

A ground proximity warning that the aircraft is too low with the landing gear not down.

• The warning "too low, gear" sounded because the crew forgot to lower the wheels.
• On final approach the "too low gear" alert made the crew go around.

The most important person in a group or organization; the leader.

• She's the top banana in the marketing department.
• Who's the top banana around here?

A meme format showing a choice between two options, often with difficulty.

• This is a classic two buttons situation.
• He faced the two buttons meme dilemma.