hairpin bend
Tight mountain turn
A hairpin bend is an extremely sharp turn in a road, typically found on steep mountain routes, where the road doubles back on itself in a tight U-shape.
The term references the curved shape of a hairpin used to hold hair in place.
Such bends require drivers to slow dramatically and often involve switchback climbing or descending of hillsides.
The tour bus crawled through a series of hairpin bends on the Alpine pass.
Smooth, angleless line
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- u-turn180-degree driving reversal
- switchbackReversing mountain path
elbow · hook · arc · acute · one-eighty · reversal · twist · kink
Of high elevations
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- ascentUpward movement
- descentDownward slope or lineage
elevation · slope · cliff · gorge · pass · gradient · winding · zigzag
Assembling for unified action
- driftingMoving without purpose
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- racing lineOptimal path through corners
- downshiftChange to lower gear
overtaking · switchback · chicane · handbrake turn · understeer · oversteer · circuit · lap
Disloyal and dangerous
- precariousDangerously insecure
- perilousFraught with danger
- hazardSource of potential harm
- crashSudden violent impact
skid · accident · rollover · cliff edge · steep · slippery · brake · caution
Guide through terrain
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- decelerateReduce velocity
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- gearToothed wheel or belongings
maneuver · traction · visibility · blind corner · approach · exit · tight · sharp
curve
Smooth, angleless line
switchback · elbow · hook · arc · acute · one-eighty · reversal · twist · kink · dogleg
alpine
Of high elevations
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- ascentUpward movement
descent · elevation · slope · cliff · gorge · pass · gradient · winding · zigzag · scenic
rallying
Assembling for unified action
- driftingMoving without purpose
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- racing lineOptimal path through corners
downshift · overtaking · switchback · chicane · handbrake turn · understeer · oversteer · circuit · lap · rev
treacherous
Disloyal and dangerous
- precariousDangerously insecure
- perilousFraught with danger
- hazardSource of potential harm
crash · skid · accident · rollover · cliff edge · steep · slippery · brake · caution · fatal
navigate
Guide through terrain
- steeringControlling direction of movement
- decelerateReduce velocity
- brakeDevice to slow motion
gear · maneuver · traction · visibility · blind corner · approach · exit · tight · sharp · reverse
- hairpin turnsswitchback, tight corner, U-turn, reverse turn
hairpin bendstraightaway
Without pause or hesitation
straight line · gentle arc · direct route · beeline · linear path
hair, bend, hairs, pins, bends, hairpin, hairpins, haired, hairy