code yellow
1
6.8
- noun
- Jargon
:
código amarillo
- The school went into code yellow to warn everyone about the severe thunderstorm approaching.
Examples
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We are in a code yellow.
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Are they code yellow?
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During the code yellow, parents were advised to stay informed about the missing child.
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The hospital issued a code yellow alert when a patient went missing from the premises.
Synonyms
297
2.8
A warning that something dangerous or important may happen
54
1.6
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
How Urgent
- Formal
41
3.6
- Jargon
28
6.5
- Jargon
1
6.8
297
2.8
- Literature
108
4.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
code + yellow
The meaning is directly built from 'code' (a system of signals) plus the color 'yellow' — a B1 learner who knows those words can infer this denotes a signal or category of alert marked by yellow. Although the exact emergency it refers to can vary by institution, the overall idea of a color-coded warning is compositional and predictable. The 'code + color' pattern (e.g., code red, code blue) is common, further supporting transparent interpretation.
Etymology
Code yellow comes from places like hospitals and schools that use color codes for alerts, where code is a simple signal and yellow is the color that means 'be careful'. So, like a yellow traffic light, code yellow means 'an alert' or 'a warning' that something needs attention but is not the most serious danger.