short-circuit
Current's dangerous shortcut
Short-circuit has both electrical and figurative meanings.
In electrical systems, a short circuit is an abnormal connection that allows current to flow along an unintended path, often causing damage or fire.
The verb means to cause such a condition.
Figuratively, to short-circuit something is to bypass normal procedures or cut off a process before completion: The scandal short-circuited his political ambitions.
Also spelled short circuit (noun) and short-circuit (verb).
State of disrepair
- glitchMinor system fault
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- crashSudden violent impact
Planned travel somewhere
spark · meltdown · burnout · failure · malfunction · damage · smoke · overheat
Installed electrical conductors
- fuseProtective melting wire
- breakerWave that collapses shoreward
- groundingConnecting to earth
- currentDirected flow of charge
voltage · resistance · amperage · conductor · insulation · junction · relay · semiconductor
Wave that collapses shoreward
- fuseProtective melting wire
- disconnectTo break a connection
- isolationComplete separation from others
- cutoffPoint of termination
interrupter · reset · failsafe · trip
Makeshift bypass of difficulty
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
- circumventAvoid by going around
- skipTo deliberately exclude
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
end-run · hack · detour · override · fast-track · leapfrog · streamline · expedite
fritz
State of disrepair
- glitchMinor system fault
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
crash · failure · burnout · sputter · fry · zap · blow · smoke
trip
Planned travel somewhere
arc · spark · meltdown · burnout · failure · malfunction · damage · smoke · overheat · overcurrent
wiring
Installed electrical conductors
current · voltage · resistance · amperage · conductor · insulation · junction · relay · semiconductor · transistor
breaker
Wave that collapses shoreward
- fuseProtective melting wire
- disconnectTo break a connection
- isolationComplete separation from others
cutoff · interrupter · reset · failsafe · trip
workaround
Makeshift bypass of difficulty
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
- circumventAvoid by going around
- skipTo deliberately exclude
sidestep · end-run · hack · detour · override · fast-track · leapfrog · streamline · expedite
undermine
Weaken by stealth
foil · disrupt · interfere · block · impede · frustrate · subvert · torpedo · hijack · spoil
short-circuitopen circuit
Incomplete electrical loop
closed circuit · open · insulate · disconnect · unplug
short-circuitfollow through
Complete an intended action
see through · complete · go through the motions · facilitate · work through