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

1. an explosive mine hidden underground; explodes when stepped on or driven over