metal detector

Meaning

An electronic machine that sounds an alarm if someone carrying metal passes through it. It is standard security equipment at airports, government buildings, and public events.

Examples

• Please remove your belt and keys before walking through the metal detector.

  Please remove your belt and keys before walking through the metal detector.

• The metal detector beeped because I forgot I had coins in my pocket.

  The metal detector beeped because I forgot I had coins in my pocket.

• Airport security officers asked him to step through the metal detector again.

  Airport security officers asked him to step through the metal detector again.

• Do I need to take off my boots before going through the metal detector?

  Do I need to take off my boots before going through the metal detector?

• They installed a new walkthrough metal detector at the museum entrance.

  They installed a new walkthrough metal detector at the museum entrance.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I had to pass a metal detector at the airport.

  ✓ I had to go through a metal detector at the airport.

  In English, you do not 'pass' a metal detector; the correct phrasal verbs are 'go through' or 'walk through'.

• ✗ The metal finder started to ring when I walked in.

  ✓ The metal detector went off when I walked through.

  'Metal finder' is an incorrect translation. The standard term is 'metal detector', and we say an alarm 'goes off' rather than 'rings'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Empty your pockets before you step through the ___.

  💡 The machine that checks for metallic objects.

  Show answer

  metal detector

• My watch always sets off the ___ at airport security.

  💡 The safety device you walk through.

  Show answer

  metal detector