distress signal

distress signal (plural distress signals)

1. An emergency signal sent by radio (or other means) from a ship or aircraft in distress or danger.
2. An indication of distress.
   • 2020 October 14, Phil McNulty, “England 0-1 Denmark: 'Harry Maguire looked devoid of confidence in Nations League loss'”, in BBC Sport‎:

     This was a performance from Maguire that was sending out distress signals from pretty much the first whistle. The control was poor, the discipline was worse, even the simplest of tasks - a pass, a clearance - looked an almighty struggle.

• mayday

• “distress signal”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.