rescue mission: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “rescue mission” mean?
An organized operation to save someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organized operation to save someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation.
Any concerted effort to provide aid, recover something valuable, or prevent a failure, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'organise/organize').
Connotations
Both carry the same connotations of heroism and urgency.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “rescue mission” in a Sentence
[Someone/An organization] launched a rescue mission for/to [target].The rescue mission to [location] was a success.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rescue mission” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government was forced to rescue the failing bank.
- They successfully rescued all the climbers.
American English
- The team rescued the company from bankruptcy.
- Special forces were sent to rescue the hostages.
adverb
British English
- The fire crew acted rescue-quick. (less common)
- He heroically and rescuely intervened. (rare/invented for illustration)
American English
- The paramedics arrived rescue-ready. (less common)
- She resolutely and rescue-wise took charge. (rare/invented for illustration)
adjective
British English
- The rescue helicopter arrived within the hour.
- They formed a rescue team immediately.
American English
- The rescue operation was costly.
- She was part of the rescue squad.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A project to save a failing division or company, e.g., 'The new CEO led a financial rescue mission.'
Academic
Used in history/political science to describe humanitarian or military interventions.
Everyday
Helping a friend in a tight spot, e.g., 'My dad's car rescue mission saved our holiday.'
Technical
In aviation/maritime contexts: a formally declared and coordinated search and rescue (SAR) mission.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rescue mission”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rescue mission”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rescue mission”
- Using 'rescue mission' for simple, unplanned help (e.g., 'Thanks for the rescue mission with my homework' – overstatement).
- Misspelling as 'rescue mision'.
- Incorrect article: 'He went on rescue mission' instead of 'a rescue mission'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'rescue' is the act of saving itself, which can be spontaneous. A 'rescue mission' implies a planned, organized operation with a specific objective.
Yes, it's often used metaphorically and humorously for minor, exaggerated 'emergencies' (e.g., 'My coffee run was a rescue mission for the tired office').
No, it can be used for saving animals, objects, or abstract things like a company or a project from failure.
Not exactly. 'Search and Rescue (SAR)' is a specific technical term for operations that involve locating *and then* saving. A 'rescue mission' might assume the location is already known.
An organized operation to save someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation.
Rescue mission is usually neutral in register.
Rescue mission: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛskjuː ˌmɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛskju ˌmɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was a rescue mission for his reputation.”
- “Their late-night pizza run felt like a rescue mission.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Mission: Impossible – but the mission is to RESCUE.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE TRAPS/DANGERS; HELP IS A PLANNED MILITARY OPERATION.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is LEAST likely to be described as a 'rescue mission' in its literal sense?