chin strap
- noun
- /tʃɪn stræp/
- His elastic chin strap snaps under the pressure.
- helmet with a chin strap
- adjust the chin strap
- buckle your chin strap
The original chin strap was from athletic gear.
- The original chin strap was from athletic gear.
Examples
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It's important to check that the chin strap is securely fastened before playing football.
-
I released the chin strap on my steel helmet, and the wind bounced it down the road and over the weeds.
Fiction book (1990) -
The chin strap should hold firmly against the throat.
Fiction book (2002) -
With his helmet on and chin strap buckled, he looked like a giant bug.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Gamebreaker has foam inserts that cushion impacts, a chin strap, and laces that allow users to get a custom fit.
Blog text (29) -
It was freezing out; our moms made us wear those dopey hats with earflaps and chin straps, and we were mad about it.
Fiction book (1996) -
He lifts his pillbox hat to reveal a white crewcut, then lets the elastic chin strap snap the cap back down onto his head.
Fiction book (1994) -
Before riding his bicycle, he made sure to adjust the chin strap on his helmet for safety.
-
The soldier tightened the chin strap of his helmet as he prepared for the mission.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'chin' (the lower jaw) + 'strap' (a fastening strip) yields a strap that goes under the chin to hold headwear. This noun–noun compound follows a straightforward compositional pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun chin strap comes from the clear picture of a strap that goes under the chin to keep a hat or helmet on. That's why it means 'a strap under the chin that holds a hat or helmet in place'.