salvage
save something from loss or ruin
To keep something from being destroyed or lost, especially in a fire, accident, or other bad event.
to salvage [something] (from [something])
- Firefighters managed to salvage several paintings from the burning museum.
- Technicians were able to salvage most of the data from the damaged hard drive.
- They worked through the night to salvage equipment from the flooded warehouse.
- Divers tried to salvage the cargo from the sunken ship.
- We only had a few minutes to salvage our belongings before the building was evacuated.
- The family tried to salvage some clothes from the house after the fire.
- Workers salvaged a few machines from the old factory.
- Engineers salvaged important files from the broken computer.
- Divers salvaged boxes from the ship at the bottom of the sea.
- He ran back into the room to salvage his passport from the smoke.
make the best of a bad situation
To stop a bad situation from being a total failure by saving some part of it or making it a little better.
to salvage [a situation/event/reputation/relationship]
- The team scored a late goal to salvage a draw from the match.
- She told a joke to try to salvage the awkward conversation.
- He worked hard to salvage his reputation after the scandal.
- We ordered takeout to salvage what was left of the evening after the restaurant closed early.
- Negotiators are still trying to salvage the trade agreement.
- We tried to salvage the evening by watching a funny movie.
- He said sorry to salvage their friendship.
- The company is trying to salvage its image after the mistake.
- They talked for hours to salvage their marriage.
- The manager hopes to salvage the project with a new plan.
take usable parts from damaged items
To take good parts or materials from something broken or old so you can use or sell them.
to salvage [parts/materials] from [something]
- Mechanics salvaged several parts from the wrecked car.
- The builders plan to salvage old bricks from the warehouse before it is demolished.
- We were able to salvage some timber from the fallen barn.
- The company specializes in salvaging metals from electronic waste.
- Volunteers salvaged usable furniture from the damaged school.
- They salvaged metal parts from the old machines.
- We want to salvage some wood from the broken fence.
- Workers salvaged glass and doors from the old house.
- He salvaged the engine from the car and sold it.
- The factory salvages plastic from used bottles.
the act of saving property
The action of saving things from being destroyed or badly damaged, especially in a fire, flood, or accident.
the salvage of [something] (from [something])
- The salvage of the sunken ship's cargo took several weeks.
- A complex salvage operation was launched after the plane crashed into the sea.
- Insurance covered the cost of the salvage after the storm.
- They coordinated the salvage of computers from the flooded office.
- The company won the contract for the salvage of the wreck.
- The salvage of the ship was very difficult.
- A big salvage operation started after the storm.
- They helped with the salvage of the cars from the river.
- The army joined the salvage of equipment from the base.
- We watched a film about the salvage of a sunken boat.
saved or reusable materials
Things or materials that were saved from damage or taken from broken or old things so they can still be used or sold.
[salvage] of/from [something]
- The car was too damaged to repair and was sold for salvage.
- He runs a business dealing in architectural salvage.
- We bought some old doors from a salvage yard for our renovation.
- Insurance will pay the owner and then keep the vehicle as salvage.
- The company recycles salvage from demolished buildings.
- The garage sold the broken car as salvage.
- We went to a salvage yard to find cheap parts.
- This shop uses wood from building salvage to make tables.
- They buy metal salvage and then recycle it.
- The company makes art from old machine salvage.
- Base: salvage
- Plural: salvage
- Base: salvage
- 3rd Person Singular: salvages
- Present Participle: salvaging
- Past: salvaged
salvage operation
1organized effort to save property
A planned and organized action to save things from being destroyed or badly damaged.
- A major salvage operation was launched to recover cargo from the sunken ship.
- The salvage operation after the earthquake lasted for several days.
salvage therapy
1last-resort medical treatment
In medicine, a treatment used when other usual treatments have not worked.
- The patient was given salvage therapy after the cancer returned.
- Salvage therapy is considered when first-line drugs fail to control the infection.
salvage title
1legal label for rebuilt total-loss vehicle
A legal note on a car's papers that shows the car was badly damaged and declared a total loss, and later was repaired and put back on the road.
- The car is cheap because it has a salvage title.
- Many insurers refuse full coverage for vehicles with a salvage title.
salvage value
1end-of-life value of an asset
In business, the money you expect to get when you sell or scrap a machine or other asset at the end of its useful life.
- Accountants included a small salvage value for the old machines in their calculations.
- When you buy equipment, you should estimate its salvage value for depreciation purposes.
salvage yard
1place for wrecked vehicles and parts
A business area where damaged or old cars and machines are kept, and people can buy their parts or materials.
- We went to a salvage yard to look for a cheap replacement engine.
- The old truck was towed to a salvage yard after the accident.