Bat-Signal en · NOUN
Etymology
From Bat- + signal: the extended (general) sense comes from the Bat-Signal, a searchlight-based distress signal in the DC Universe, used by Gotham City police to summon the superhero Batman.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, informal) A thing which serves to attract or summon something.
"Have you met my mom? She's like a Bat-Signal for jerks. I'm never falling in love, Kellan. Ever. It's so stupid."
2022, Alyne Hart, Glitter, page 15:The power of that promise is part of why Trump's election win was like a Bat-Signal for hatemongers of all kinds.
2017, Naomi Klein, No Is Not Enough: Resisting the New Shock Politics and Winning the World We Need:I honked the horn and flickered the lights as a bat signal for my mom to save me.
2022, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bat-Signals | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| bat signal | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Bat Signal | alternative | lexicographic | |
| bat-signal | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Bat-signal | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
🦇 · bat-phone · dog whistle
wikipedia: Bat-Signal · wikipedia: Gotham City · wikipedia: DC Universe · wikipedia: Batman