endangered species

endangered species

1. Literally, a species that is in danger of becoming extinct. Once an endangered species, these majestic creatures have made a great comeback with the help of preservation efforts.
2. By extension, something that is already very rare or could soon become rare. I worry that this type of work will soon be an endangered species if funding keeps getting cut.
See also: endanger, species
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

endangered species

A group threatened with extinction or destruction. For example, Workers willing to put in overtime without extra pay are an endangered species, or With the new budget cuts, public television has become an endangered species. This expression, originally referring to species of plants or animals in danger of dying out, began in the 1980s to be extended to anything or anyone becoming rare.
See also: endanger, species
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

an endangered species

If you describe something as an endangered species, you mean that there are not many of them left. Business class is in danger of becoming an endangered species, except on long flights. Bassoons, oboes and the big brass instruments are endangered species because children do not want to play them. Note: This expression comes from the literal meaning of a plant or animal that is likely to die out soon.
See also: endanger, species
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • an endangered species
  • endanger
  • species
  • survival
  • survival of the fittest
  • (the) survival of the fittest
  • cohabit
  • cohabit with
  • cohabit with (someone or something)
  • die out
References in periodicals archive
Engaging the class in a discussion about endangered species conservation is also a good way to prepare.
Threatened and endangered species are in our midst here in Illinois.
Apart from Rushikulya, the endangered species visit Gahirmatha beach and the mouth of river Devi for mass nesting in Odisha.
The law concerning regulating and controlling the international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora sets out penalties for the violation of its provisions.
It only forces the agency to make a decision, which typically doesn't come for months, or even years, after a settlement is reached, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
Emirates Post fully supports the Dubai Customs awareness campaign which has been designed to highlight the dangers of harming endangered species." said Ibrahim Bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Post Group.
Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous conservation organizations will observe Endangered Species Day to recognize conservation efforts under way across the nation aimed at helping America's imperiled species.
To provide an in-depth understanding of biodiversity and the factors influencing its decline, an inquiry-based project is assigned that has students work in groups to create PowerPoint presentations on endangered species. Alternatively, poster presentations can be created and shared with the class or school.
The money was spent on safeguarding habitat (where an organism lives), law enforcement, and research to monitor plants and animals on the endangered species list.
It's no exaggeration to say that the National Wildlife Refuge System, the country's premier land stewardship system, is vital to many endangered species. More than 280 of the country's 1,320 endangered or threatened species make these 550 oases of natural habitat their home.
President Obama overturned an eleventh-hour Bush administration rule regarding the Endangered Species Act.
NO LONGER WILL PROPERTY OWNERS in Ontario be breaking the law if they restore their land by planting seeds of endangered species such as small white lady's slipper, American ginseng or the delightfully named Engelmann's quillwort.
Endangered Species Day, recognized by Congress since 2006 as the second full-week Friday in May, is a time to learn about endangered species, celebrate successes in their recovery, and gain a greater appreciation for what it takes to conserve a species and its habitat.
In October, CLF and others filed a scientific petition with the federal government seeking endangered species protection for the wolffish.
They are an endangered species in the North East CUTE creatures are set to be given a helping hand to thrive in the North East.