barometer for economic health
- noun
- /bəˈrɑːmɪtər fɔr ɪˈkɒnəmɪk hɛlθ/
:
barómetro de la salud económica
- The stock market is a barometer for economic health.
Examples
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Unemployment rates are often used as a barometer for economic health.
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Analysts view consumer spending as a key barometer for economic health in the country.
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Housing starts can act as a barometer for economic health in the construction industry.
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Many experts consider consumer spending a barometer for economic health.
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Analysts view consumer spending as a key barometer for economic health in the country.
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Unemployment rates are often used as a barometer for economic health.
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Many experts consider consumer spending a barometer for economic health.
Synonyms
135
3.7
A number that shows how a situation changes over time
12
3.9
A way to judge how good or successful something is
3
6.8
A number that changes before the whole economy does to show future trends
1
3.6
A measure that shows how well a system or business is doing
A number showing how active businesses are in an economy over time
How Reliable
Surface Forms
Morphology
barometer + for + economic + health
The sense 'an indicator or measure of economic conditions' follows directly from combining 'barometer' (a measuring instrument) with 'for economic health' — the phrase transparently maps onto 'a measure of the economy.' This instrumental-to-indicator metaphor and the collocation 'economic health' are common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Barometer for economic health comes from a simple weather tool, the barometer, which measures air pressure and helps predict the weather. So calling something a barometer for economic health is a way of saying it 'shows' if the economy is getting 'better' or 'worse'.