abandoned luggage
/əˈbændənd ˈlʌɡɪdʒ/
Meaning
This term refers to baggage or suitcases left unattended by their owner in public transit areas like airports or train stations. Security protocols treat such items as potential security threats, often leading to evacuations or controlled detonations. It is commonly heard in public announcements warning passengers to keep their belongings with them.
Examples
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The station was temporarily evacuated due to a report of abandoned luggage near platform 4.
The station was temporarily evacuated due to a report of abandoned luggage near platform 4.
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Security personnel are trained to identify and report any abandoned luggage immediately.
Security personnel are trained to identify and report any abandoned luggage immediately.
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Please keep your bags with you at all times; abandoned luggage will be destroyed.
Please keep your bags with you at all times; abandoned luggage will be destroyed.
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They had to delay our flight because of an abandoned luggage scare at the boarding gate.
They had to delay our flight because of an abandoned luggage scare at the boarding gate.
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I almost left my backpack by the ticket counter, which could have been flagged as abandoned luggage.
I almost left my backpack by the ticket counter, which could have been flagged as abandoned luggage.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I saw some abandoned luggages at the airport.
✓ I saw some abandoned luggage at the airport.
'Luggage' is an uncountable noun. It cannot be pluralized with 's', even when referring to multiple bags.
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✗ Don't leave your bags here, or they will be called abandoned baggages.
✓ Don't leave your bags here, or they will be classified as abandoned luggage.
'Baggage' is also uncountable. Additionally, in security contexts, 'classified as' or 'treated as' is much more natural and precise than 'called'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The airport terminal was locked down after security discovered some ___ near the check-in desks.
💡 Bags left behind by their owner.
Show answer
abandoned luggage
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To avoid your bags being treated as ___, always keep them within arm's reach.
💡 Unattended suitcases.
Show answer
abandoned luggage