Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

safety valve

 noun
     
Related topics: Psychology, Psychiatry, Engineering
safety valve [countable]
1TE a part of a machine that allows gas, steam etc to escape when the pressure becomes too great
2MP something that allows you to get rid of strong feelings without doing any harm:
Being able to express emotion is a healthy safety valve for the relationship.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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