widow-maker

Deadly hanging branch

A widow-maker is something likely to kill a man, leaving his wife a widow.

The term appears in several domains: a dead branch hanging precariously in a tree, ready to fall on loggers or hikers; a severe blockage in the left anterior descending artery, often fatal; or any notoriously dangerous activity or piece of equipment.

That old chainsaw is a widow-maker.

cardiac

coronary

Of heart arteries

angina · artery · stent · bypass · atherosclerosis · ischemia · plaque · stenosis · thrombosis · angioplasty

hazard

perilous

Fraught with danger

lethal · risk · danger · unpredictable · hazardous · precarious · notorious · menacing · killer · accident

logging

snag

Unforeseen complication

timber · felling · chainsaw · logger · forest · hazard · branch · dangerous · overhead · safety

tree

eucalyptus

Aromatic Australian timber tree

  • gum-treeResin-producing tree species
  • branchDivision or woody limb
  • limbJointed bodily projection

deadfall · canopy · drop-bear · Australia · overhang · suspended · dry · brittle · falling · forest

cycling

climb

Ascend using effort

  • hillLow natural elevation
  • steepRising at sharp angle
  • gradientRate of change across space

ascent · grueling · exhausting · legendary · race · stage · tour · peloton · summit · mountain

Opposites
tree hazard status

widow-makergreen wood

Undried, recently felled wood

danger level

widow-makerlifesaver

Emergency rescue person

safety feature · desk job · protective equipment · guardian angel · safe haven

marital outcome

widow-makerlife-giver

Source of existence

Family

widow, widows, widowed, widower, widowers, widowhood, widowing, make, maker

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13