widow-maker: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  American EnglishBritish EnglishGeneralmedicalneutral
  • A life‑threatening blockage of a major coronary artery (especially the left anterior descending artery) that commonly causes sudden fatal heart attacks.

  Examples

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  • Doctors identified a widow-maker blockage in his coronary artery during the emergency angiogram.

    Doctors identified a widow-maker blockage in his coronary artery during the emergency angiogram.

  • She was rushed to the hospital after suffering a widow-maker heart attack that required immediate surgery.

    She was rushed to the hospital after suffering a widow-maker heart attack that required immediate surgery.

  • Widow-maker is a terrifying term for the critical blockage that often leads to sudden death if untreated.

    Widow-maker is a terrifying term for the critical blockage that often leads to sudden death if untreated.

  • The cardiologist explained that the left anterior descending artery is commonly called the widow-maker because of its danger.

    The cardiologist explained that the left anterior descending artery is commonly called the widow-maker because of its danger.

• 2.

  American EnglishBritish EnglishGeneralinformalneutral
  • Any highly dangerous machine, occupation, activity, or condition that is likely to cause death or serious injury.

  Examples

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  • Logging has always been considered a widow-maker job because of the risks involved with falling trees.

    Logging has always been considered a widow-maker job because of the risks involved with falling trees.

  • He warned me that working on that old crane was a widow-maker, likely to cause serious injuries if not handled carefully.

    He warned me that working on that old crane was a widow-maker, likely to cause serious injuries if not handled carefully.

  • The construction site was full of widow-makers, and safety had to be the top priority every day.

    The construction site was full of widow-makers, and safety had to be the top priority every day.

• 3.

  Generalinformalcolloquial
  • A person or thing regarded as especially likely to cause the death of a spouse, used figuratively.

  Examples

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  • Many joked that his reckless lifestyle made him a widow-maker, though no one wanted that to be true.

    Many joked that his reckless lifestyle made him a widow-maker, though no one wanted that to be true.

  • She called his dangerous hobbies a widow-maker, warning friends to be cautious around him.

    She called his dangerous hobbies a widow-maker, warning friends to be cautious around him.

  • In their circle, the term widow-maker was used to describe anyone who seemed destined to break a partner’s heart forever.

    In their circle, the term widow-maker was used to describe anyone who seemed destined to break a partner’s heart forever.