a salvamano — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Spainsome Latin American regionsrareregionaltechnical
  • Rare or regional expression indicating that something is kept as a safeguard or emergency resource; literally 'as a hand-saving/handy measure'.
  • Used in technical or archaic contexts to refer to a protective device or guard for the hand (e.g., a hand guard), hence figuratively 'as protection' or 'as a contingency'.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Guardamos ese medicamento a salvamano por si alguien se siente mal durante el viaje.

    We keep that medicine as a safeguard in case someone feels sick during the trip.

  • Tengo un plan B a salvamano en caso de que el proyecto principal no funcione.

    I have a backup plan at hand in case the main project doesn't work.

  • Dejaron una copia del contrato a salvamano para cualquier eventualidad.

    They left a copy of the contract as a safeguard for any eventuality.

• 2.

  Spainobsoletearchaic
  • Obsolete usage meaning 'within reach' or 'readily at hand'; appears infrequently in historical texts and regional speech.

  Examples

  Beta

  • En el pueblo decían que el cuchillo siempre debía estar a salvamano en la cocina.

    In the village, they said the knife should always be within reach in the kitchen.

  • A salvamano tengo una lista de contactos para emergencias, aunque rara vez la uso.

    I have an emergency contact list readily at hand, although I rarely use it.

  • Los ancianos mantenían el bastón a salvamano mientras caminaban por el mercado.

    The elders kept the cane within reach while walking through the market.