brown out
v. phr.— «The Redwood City Fire Department can stave off “browning out” one engine by cutting one fire firefighter per truck on all companies—a move that significantly limits the ability to respond to emergencies but will protect service in downtown. […] The change is “extremely risky” and cuts response capacity by 50 percent but is worth managing rather than face browning out Engine 9 to save approximately $400,000 in overtime costs, Skinner said. “Browning out” a station or engine is an alternative to completely closing it, or “blacking” it out.» —“Fire chief suggests ’risky’ cut” by Michelle Durand San Mateo Daily Journal (California) June 16, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Twice a day the River Thames recedes, revealing a muddy shoreline. Hobbyists known as mudlarks stroll the surface searching for objects that have found their way into the river over the centuries, everything from ancient Roman jewelry to modern...
The adjectives canine and feline refer to dogs and cats. But how does English address other groups of animals? Plus, cabin fever has been around much longer than the current pandemic. That restless, antsy, stir-crazy feeling goes back to the days...