rip cord
noun
1
: a cord by which the gasbag of a balloon may be ripped open for a limited distance to release the gas quickly and so cause immediate descent
2
: a cord or wire pulled in making a descent to release a parachute out of its container
Examples of rip cord in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With two weeks left until the trade deadline arrives, could the Vikings pull the rip cord on the Kirk Cousins emergency option?
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Looking at its competitors, Disney's media properties appear on the upswing after several years of pain, and Paramount Global has pulled the rip cord and agreed to a merger with Skydance Media.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024
Market conditions may compel Redstone to pull the rip cord on an M&A solution sooner rather than later.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Before pulling the rip cord, Alabama allowed access for one to two practice periods during individual drills.
—Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2023
If the number finally comes in, will Arizona pull the rip cord if brass aren't satisfied?
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2023
This one from Forest Safety is equipped with a rip cord that allows the cutter to access the kit’s tourniquet with one pull.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 18 Jan. 2023
Has all the trappings of looking for a rip cord to pull.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 May 2022
In late May, Sarah Lynch pulled the rip cord.
—oregonlive, 16 June 2021
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James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Looking at its competitors, Disney's media properties appear on the upswing after several years of pain, and Paramount Global has pulled the rip cord and agreed to a merger with Skydance Media.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024
Market conditions may compel Redstone to pull the rip cord on an M&A solution sooner rather than later.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Before pulling the rip cord, Alabama allowed access for one to two practice periods during individual drills.
—Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2023
If the number finally comes in, will Arizona pull the rip cord if brass aren't satisfied?
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2023
This one from Forest Safety is equipped with a rip cord that allows the cutter to access the kit’s tourniquet with one pull.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 18 Jan. 2023
Has all the trappings of looking for a rip cord to pull.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 May 2022
In late May, Sarah Lynch pulled the rip cord.
—oregonlive, 16 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Rip cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20cord. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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