Noun
/wɔrnɪŋ fɛns/
A "warning fence" is a type of fence that is erected to signify caution or to protect an area from unauthorized access. It is commonly seen in locations hazardous to safety, such as construction sites, dangerous cliffs, or restricted regions.
The workers erected a warning fence around the construction site to prevent unauthorized access.
(Los trabajadores erigieron una valla de advertencia alrededor del sitio de construcción para prevenir el acceso no autorizado.)
A warning fence was installed near the cliff edge to keep visitors safe from falling.
(Se instaló una valla de advertencia cerca del borde del acantilado para mantener a los visitantes a salvo de caídas.)
Before the heavy rains came, a warning fence was put up to mark the flood zone.
(Antes de que llegaran las fuertes lluvias, se colocó una valla de advertencia para marcar la zona de inundación.)
While "warning fence" does not have many idiomatic expressions directly associated with it, the concept of warnings and caution can be found in a few phrases:
"To toe the line": To conform to rules or standards, often in a restricted area needing caution.
The safety manager expected the crew to toe the line when it comes to wearing safety gear around the warning fence.
(El gerente de seguridad esperaba que el equipo se ajustara a las normas en lo que respecta a usar equipo de seguridad alrededor de la valla de advertencia.)
"Draw the line": To set a limit or boundary, similar to demarcating with a warning fence.
The company drew the line at safety regulations, ensuring a warning fence was always in place.
(La empresa trazó la línea en las regulaciones de seguridad, asegurando que siempre hubiera una valla de advertencia en su lugar.)
"The writing on the wall": A sign of warning regarding impending trouble or danger, paralleling the purpose of a warning fence.
The neglected state of the site was the writing on the wall for the need to install a warning fence.
(El estado descuidado del sitio era la escritura en la pared de la necesidad de instalar una valla de advertencia.)
The word "warning" comes from the Old English wyrnan, meaning "to avert or prevent," while "fence" derives from Middle English fence, which itself comes from the Latin fentia, meaning "to defend." Together, "warning fence" essentially refers to a barrier that serves the purpose of conveying caution.