band-aid
Very CommonInformal
Definition
Meaning
A small adhesive bandage used to cover minor cuts and wounds.
A temporary or makeshift solution to a problem, often addressing the symptom rather than the root cause.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its literal sense, it's a proprietary eponym (a brand name that has become genericized). The metaphorical sense is often pejorative, implying inadequacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the literal item is far more commonly called a 'plaster'. The brand 'Band-Aid' is known but less dominant. The metaphorical use is understood but less frequent than in American English.
Connotations
In American English, the metaphorical sense is a strong cultural metaphor for a temporary fix. In British English, the term 'sticking plaster' is more commonly used for the same metaphorical concept.
Frequency
Literal: Very high in US, low in UK. Metaphorical: High in US, medium/low in UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is just a band-aid [for Problem].[Subject] put a band-aid on [Problem].[Subject] needs more than a band-aid.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rip the band-aid off (to do something unpleasant quickly to get it over with)”
- “a band-aid solution”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Criticising a short-term financial fix: 'The government's tax rebate is merely a band-aid for the struggling industry.'
Academic
Used in policy or systems analysis: 'The intervention was criticised as a band-aid approach to deep-seated social inequality.'
Everyday
Literal: 'I cut my finger; do you have a band-aid?' Metaphorical: 'This software update is just a band-aid until the new version is ready.'
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts except in management/strategy discussions about temporary fixes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They tried to band-aid the issue with a quick meeting.
American English
- We can't just band-aid this problem; we need a real strategy.
adjective
British English
- It was a classic band-aid measure that solved nothing.
American English
- The CEO announced another band-aid solution for the supply chain crisis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Ouch! I need a band-aid for my knee.
- Mum put a band-aid on my finger.
- The new policy is just a band-aid; it won't stop the protests.
- Do you have any band-aids in your first aid kit?
- Instead of addressing the core inefficiency, management applied a series of band-aid fixes.
- Politically, it's easier to propose a band-aid solution than to enact real reform.
- The multilateral agreement was ultimately a diplomatic band-aid, papering over the fundamental disagreements between the signatories.
- His insightful critique exposed the band-aid nature of the proposed legislative amendments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAND playing AID to raise money for a quick fix, not a long-term solution.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLUTIONS ARE COVERINGS FOR PROBLEMS / A TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS A TEMPORARY BANDAGE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите дословно как 'банда помощь'.
- В буквальном смысле соответствует 'пластырь' (plaster).
- Метафорический смысл 'временная/косметическая мера', 'полумера'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'band-aid' formally in British English (use 'plaster').
- Misspelling as 'bandaid' (standard is with hyphen: Band-Aid).
- Using the metaphor positively (it's usually negative).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'band-aid' most likely to be used literally in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson for adhesive bandages. However, it is often used generically, especially in American English.
The most common term is 'plaster' (or 'sticking plaster'). You would ask for a 'plaster' if you had a small cut.
Yes, informally, especially in American English. It means to apply a temporary fix (e.g., 'We band-aided the leak with some tape').
It is almost always negative or critical, implying that a solution is inadequate, superficial, and temporary.