land mine
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An explosive device concealed on or just below the surface of the ground: It is designed to detonate when a person, vehicle, or animal applies pressure, comes into proximity, or triggers it via a command wire. Its primary military purpose is to deny area access, but it poses a severe, long-term threat to civilians.
Usage
The term "land mine" is used to describe a specific type of weapon. It is typically discussed in military, humanitarian, and disarmament contexts. - It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a land mine, several land mines). - It is often used with verbs like lay/plant, detonate, trigger, step on, clear, and remove.
Examples
- The soldiers were trained to identify and avoid land mines.
- Clearing land mines from former conflict zones is a dangerous and costly process.
- The treaty aims to ban the use, stockpiling, and production of anti-personnel land mines.
Advanced Usage
- To be a political/social land mine: Used metaphorically to describe a highly sensitive or dangerous issue that could cause significant damage if mishandled.
- The topic of historical reparations is a political land mine for the candidate.
Variants and Related Words
- Minefield (n): An area planted with land mines. Also used metaphorically for a situation full of hidden dangers.
- The path through the forest was a suspected minefield.
- Navigating the new regulations was a legal minefield.
Synonyms
- Booby trap: A concealed device designed to kill or injure when a seemingly harmless object is disturbed. (Broader term; a land mine is a type of booby trap.)
- Explosive device: A general term for any weapon that functions by explosion.
Related Phrases
- Anti-personnel mine: A land mine designed primarily to kill or injure people.
- Anti-tank mine: A larger land mine designed to destroy or disable vehicles.
- To clear mines: The process of locating and removing or destroying land mines.
Noun
- an explosive mine hidden underground; explodes when stepped on or driven over