heimlich maneuver: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumTechnical, Medical, Semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “heimlich maneuver” mean?
An emergency first-aid procedure used to clear a blocked airway, performed by applying quick upward pressure to the abdomen just below the ribcage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An emergency first-aid procedure used to clear a blocked airway, performed by applying quick upward pressure to the abdomen just below the ribcage.
A specific, named technique for abdominal thrusts to dislodge an object from a choking person's trachea. The term also sometimes refers, by metaphorical extension, to any sudden, decisive action taken to resolve an urgent, critical problem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is of American origin. In British English, it is often spelled 'Heimlich manoeuvre' and is less commonly used in official first-aid guidelines, which favour 'abdominal thrusts.'
Connotations
In the US, it is a widely recognized household term. In the UK, it is known but associated more with American media; official first-aid training uses generic terms.
Frequency
More frequent in American English. In British English, 'abdominal thrusts' is the standard instructional term.
Grammar
How to Use “heimlich maneuver” in a Sentence
to perform the Heimlich maneuver on [person]to administer the Heimlich maneuverthe Heimlich maneuver was used to dislodge [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heimlich maneuver” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The first-aider quickly Heimlich manoeuvred the choking diner.
- Has anyone here been trained to Heimlich manoeuvre?
American English
- He Heimlich-maneuvered his colleague just in time.
- You may need to Heimlich maneuver someone if they're choking.
adjective
British English
- The Heimlich-manoeuvre technique was demonstrated.
- He gave a Heimlich-manoeuvre thrust.
American English
- She learned the Heimlich-maneuver procedure.
- A Heimlich-maneuver intervention saved his life.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; potential metaphorical use for a drastic corrective action.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, and first-aid literature and training.
Everyday
Common in discussions of first aid, health, and safety, especially in the US.
Technical
The precise term in emergency medicine and first-aid certification courses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heimlich maneuver”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heimlich maneuver”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heimlich maneuver”
- Misspelling as 'Hymlich' or 'Heimlich manoeuver'. Incorrectly applying it to infants (for whom back blows and chest thrusts are standard). Using it on a person who is coughing effectively (it's only for a completely blocked airway).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, for infants under 1 year, a combination of back blows and chest thrusts is recommended instead of abdominal thrusts.
It was developed and promoted by the American thoracic surgeon Dr. Henry Heimlich in 1974.
Yes, you can perform self-administered abdominal thrusts by using your hands on your own abdomen or leaning forcefully over a fixed object like the back of a chair.
If performed incorrectly, it can cause internal injuries such as bruising, fractures of the ribs, or damage to internal organs.
An emergency first-aid procedure used to clear a blocked airway, performed by applying quick upward pressure to the abdomen just below the ribcage.
Heimlich maneuver is usually technical, medical, semi-formal in register.
Heimlich maneuver: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪmlɪk məˈnuːvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪmlɪk məˈnuːvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] to pull a Heimlich maneuver on the project (to apply a sudden, forceful intervention to save it)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HEIMlich = HELP-ME-quick!' It's a quick HELP maneuver for when someone can't breathe.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAVING IS A PHYSICAL INTERVENTION (The lifesaving act is conceptualized as a forceful, mechanical procedure).
Practice
Quiz
In current official British first-aid guidance, what is the preferred term for the Heimlich manoeuvre?