flash-point

A chemist carefully measures the flash-point of a new oil sample.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Chemistry: "flash-point" refers to the lowest temperature at which a volatile substance (such as oil or fuel) can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air near its surface.
   • Figurative sense: "flash-point" also denotes a critical point or moment at which anger, conflict, or violence suddenly erupts.

Usage Examples

• Chemistry:

  • The flash-point of gasoline is extremely low, making it highly flammable. (The temperature at which gasoline can ignite is very low.)
  • Safety regulations require storing chemicals with a low flash-point in cool, ventilated areas. (Chemicals that ignite easily at low temperatures must be stored carefully.)

• Figurative:

  • The political tension in the region reached a flash-point after the controversial election. (The situation became critically dangerous and could have led to violence.)
  • His rude comment was the flash-point that triggered the argument. (That comment was the immediate cause of the conflict.)

Advanced Usage

• "to reach a flash-point": to arrive at a critical or explosive stage.

  • The protests reached a flash-point when police used tear gas. (The situation became dangerously intense.)

• "flash-point for conflict": a specific issue or event that causes a dispute to escalate.

  • The border dispute has been a flash-point for conflict for decades. (That issue frequently triggers serious disagreements.)

Variants and Related Words

• Flashpoint (n): alternative spelling (commonly used without hyphen).

  • The flashpoint of the new fuel is higher than that of old diesel. (The ignition temperature is higher.)

• Flash (n/v): a sudden brief burst of light or flame; to appear suddenly.

  • A flash of lightning lit up the sky. (A sudden bright light.)

Synonyms

• Ignition point: the temperature at which a substance catches fire (chemistry).
• Tipping point: the moment when a situation becomes critical (figurative).
• Breaking point: the point at which stress or conflict becomes unbearable (figurative).

Related Idioms

• A powder keg: a situation that could explode into violence at any moment.

  • The crowded stadium was a powder keg of emotions. (It was highly volatile, like a flash-point situation.)

• Light the fuse: to trigger a sudden reaction or conflict.

  • His insult lit the fuse of the argument. (It acted as the flash-point.)