🧯
Fire Extinguisher
fī(-ə)r ik-ˈstiŋ(g)-wə-shər
Definitions
1
Objects · Safety Equipment
uncommon
A portable device used to extinguish or control small fires in emergency situations. Typically depicted as a red cylinder with a nozzle or hose.
Used in contexts related to safety, emergency preparedness, or fire hazards. Often appears in instructional or cautionary messages.
Make sure you know where the 🧯 is located before starting any lab experiments.
Workplace safety message
That argument was getting heated until Sam stepped in with the diplomatic 🧯
Group chat
Universally recognized safety symbol across cultures. In digital communication, often represents emergency response or problem-solving.
2
Metaphorical · Problem Solving
rare
Metaphorically represents defusing tense situations, solving urgent problems, or calming heated arguments.
Used figuratively to suggest intervening in conflicts or addressing emergencies in personal or professional contexts.
My boss was about to lose it with the client, but I brought out the 🧯 and saved the deal.
Work chat
This metaphorical usage emerged in digital communication as part of problem-solving slang, particularly in workplace contexts.
Evolution Timeline
2018
Added to Unicode 11.0 as part of an expansion of safety and emergency symbols in emoji sets.
Growing emphasis on safety symbols in digital communication
Cultural Context
As one of the newer safety equipment emojis, it's less frequently used than older emojis but fills an important niche in workplace and safety communications.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often called a 'fire extinguisher' or colloquially a 'fire ext' in British English, with similar usage patterns to other English-speaking regions.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used literally in safety contexts or workplace communications about emergencies or regulations.
Gen_Z: Occasionally used metaphorically for 'canceling' someone or shutting down arguments. Appears in safety awareness TikToks.
Older: Limited usage, mostly in literal safety contexts when discussing emergency preparedness.
Millennials: Used pragmatically in workplace contexts and home safety discussions. Sometimes appears in conflict resolution metaphors.
Common Combinations
🧯🔥
Putting out fires or solving urgent problems
Most literal combination, representing firefighting or emergency response to dangerous situations
🧯😅
Narrowly avoiding disaster or defusing a tense situation
Used to express relief after managing a crisis or calming a heated argument
🚨🧯
Emergency response or urgent problem-solving needed
Used in workplace contexts to signal immediate attention required for a crisis