to cut slingload

9.9

To drop a load hanging under a helicopter for safety

phrasal verb

Specialized

: soltar carga

When the helicopter encountered engine trouble, the crew had no choice but to cut slingload to avoid disaster.

Examples

The rapid decision to cut slingload saved the aircraft from crashing into the trees.
During training exercises, pilots practice how to cut slingload in the event of an emergency.
The pilot decided to cut slingload to ensure safety.
Did you see them cut slingload from the helicopter?
During a flight mission, the helicopter pilot had to cut slingload quickly to prevent further complications.
When the storm hit unexpectedly, the crew decided to cut slingload to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
To comply with safety protocols, the pilot instructed the crew to cut slingload when they detected an anomaly.

Synonyms

to air-drop

vsto cut slingload

2 4.6

Drop supplies from a plane by parachute

releases a suspended load directly from a helicopter for safety or efficiency

Antonyms

to suspend

64 3.5

To hang something so it can move or swing

Surface Forms

cut slingload infinitive

cut slingload past

cut slingload past participle

cutting slingload present participle

cuts slingload third person singular

Morphology

cut + slingload

The verb 'cut' combined with the compound 'sling load' yields a fairly compositional image (cut the sling attaching a suspended load → release/drop the load), so learners who know 'cut', 'sling' and 'load' can often infer the core idea. However, 'slingload' is a technical, domain-specific term and 'cut' in this sense (to detach/release rather than literally slice) is somewhat specialized, so the meaning is not fully predictable for an average B1 learner without exposure.

Etymology

The verb cut slingload comes from the image of a helicopter cutting the sling or cable that holds a heavy load, so the load falls away quickly. That's why the phrase means 'to let go of a load hanging from a helicopter to avoid danger'.