Definition

Noun: 1. An area of land or water containing explosive mines: A region, typically a battlefield or a former war zone, where explosive devices called mines have been deliberately hidden under the surface to destroy enemy personnel or vehicles. 2. A situation or subject presenting hidden dangers or difficulties: A complex situation, topic, or process that is full of unforeseen risks, problems, or controversies that one must navigate carefully.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning:
  • The army had to clear the minefield before the troops could advance safely.
  • Access to the beach is prohibited due to the presence of a suspected minefield.
• Figurative meaning:
  • Navigating office politics can be a real minefield.
  • The interview questions about his past employment became a minefield of difficult topics.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a minefield of something": To be full of a particular type of hidden problem or danger.
  • The new regulations are a minefield of legal complexities.
• "to walk through a minefield" / "to navigate a minefield": To deal with a situation that is extremely hazardous and requires great caution.
  • Trying to please both sides in the debate was like walking through a minefield.

Variants and Related Words

• Mine (noun): The explosive device itself.
  • The soldier stepped on an anti-personnel mine.
• Mine (verb): The act of placing explosive mines or extracting minerals.
  • The enemy mined the harbor entrance.
• Demining (noun): The process of clearing mines from an area.
  • Demining is a slow and dangerous humanitarian effort.

Synonyms

• Literal: Hazard zone, booby-trapped area.
• Figurative: Quagmire, peril, hazard, tricky situation, danger zone.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A political minefield: A subject or policy area fraught with potential for causing disagreement and damage to one's reputation.
  • Tax reform is always a political minefield.
• To be littered with minefields: To contain many hidden dangers or complicated issues.
  • The path to a peace agreement is littered with diplomatic minefields.

Noun

1. a region in which explosives mines have been placed