0 a small part on a machine that allows steam or gas to escape if the pressure inside the machine becomes too high --
1 a way of getting rid of strong feelings without causing harm: --
2 a device on a machine that allows steam or gas to escape if there is too much pressure: --
3 a part of a machine that opens to release pressure if it becomes too high: --
4 something in a system or situation that helps when problems become too great: --
That provides estate agents with the necessary safety valve.
It has acted as a safety valve and as a conciliator.
A democracy, by its very nature, needs the safety valve of humour and offence in order to operate properly.
Since the 1960s and increased international aid the population has grown and, despite the safety valve of emigration, outgrown the natural resources hastening degradation of the agricultural base.
Another form of safety valve is substitution.
Perhaps one could view the shortness of life spans as such a safety valve, since no matter how horrible the suffering one incurs, it does come to a foreseeable end.
But therein exactly lies the safety valve.
However, life's finiteness is an insufficiently compassionate safety valve.