# jaws of life

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Emergency rescue equipment used to open a severely damaged passenger vehicle with a strong mechanical jaw function that forcibly pushes or pulls metal components apart, to quickly and somewhat safely extricate the trapped occupants.

## Etymology
By analogy with an actual jaw and the fact that this mechanical device allows the possibility of preserving the life of the victim being rescued.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/jaws-of-life