safety net
Circus performer's insurance
A safety net is a net stretched beneath acrobats or high-wire performers to catch them if they fall.
The phrase extends to any system designed to protect against catastrophic failure: government programs that provide a social safety net, emergency funds that serve as a financial safety net.
The implication is protection from the worst outcome, not from all hardship.
Public financial protection programs
- unemployment benefitsState aid for jobless workers
- food stampsSubsidized grocery purchasing vouchers
- MedicaidPublic health coverage for poor
- MedicareFederal senior health program
public assistance · disability benefits · welfare state · government aid · entitlements · means-tested · poverty relief · supplemental income
Suspended acrobatic bar
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
- high wireElevated taut performance cable
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
catcher · performer · rigging · mesh · netting · fall protection · big top · Cirque du Soleil
Protective intermediate space
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- guardWatchful defensive attention
defense · screen · cover · padding · insulation · bulwark · shock absorber · guardrail
Uncertain possible event
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- plan BAlternative when primary fails
- alternativeAnother available choice
- redundancyNeedless duplication
recourse · stopgap · escape clause · reserve · provision · precaution · spare · standby
social security
Public financial protection programs
- unemployment benefitsState aid for jobless workers
- food stampsSubsidized grocery purchasing vouchers
- MedicaidPublic health coverage for poor
Medicare · public assistance · disability benefits · welfare state · government aid · entitlements · means-tested · poverty relief · supplemental income · basic income
trapeze
Suspended acrobatic bar
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
- high wireElevated taut performance cable
tightrope · catcher · performer · rigging · mesh · netting · fall protection · big top · Cirque du Soleil · flying trapeze
buffer
Protective intermediate space
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
guard · defense · screen · cover · padding · insulation · bulwark · shock absorber · guardrail · protective measure
contingency
Uncertain possible event
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- plan BAlternative when primary fails
- alternativeAnother available choice
redundancy · recourse · stopgap · escape clause · reserve · provision · precaution · spare · standby · emergency plan
- assistancehelp, help desk, aid, helpdesk, assistance
- money managementsaving, savings, budgeting, budget planning, expense tracking
- meshwire mesh, nylon mesh, plastic mesh, mesh fabric, screen mesh
- safety measureshandwashing, backup plan, fire prevention, fire drills, escape route
- Bailoutsbailout, bank bailout, bank bailouts, rescue package, rescue fund
- income supportbasic income, guaranteed income, minimum income, universal basic income, UBI
safety netfree fall
Unimpeded gravitational descent
exposure · vulnerability · unprotected · defenselessness · nakedness
safety nethigh-wire act
Performance on elevated cable
tightrope · precariousness · peril · jeopardy · hazard
safety netevery man for himself
Chaotic self-interest declaration
abandonment · thrown to the wolves · bootstrap mentality · rugged individualism · survival of the fittest
safe, net, safety, unsafe, safeguard, safely, safeguards, safety nets