time-bomb

A technician carefully defuses a time-bomb on a deserted street.

Definition

Noun: - A bomb designed to explode at a specific time: A time-bomb is an explosive device that is set to detonate after a predetermined interval, often used in acts of sabotage or terrorism. - A situation that is likely to become dangerous or problematic in the future: By extension, a "time-bomb" refers to any condition or scenario that is gradually building up to a crisis or catastrophic outcome.

Usage Examples

• (A bomb set to explode at a scheduled moment.)
• (A dangerous situation with delayed consequences.)
• (A health condition that will worsen over time.)

Advanced Usage

• "a ticking time-bomb": Emphasizes the imminent and escalating danger of a situation.
  • The political tension in the region is a ticking time-bomb. (The situation is rapidly becoming more dangerous.)
• "to defuse a time-bomb": To prevent a potential disaster from occurring.
  • The negotiators worked to defuse the time-bomb of a trade war. (They acted to avert a looming crisis.)

Variants and Related Words

• Time-bomb (also written as time bomb or timebomb): The standard spelling varies; all forms are acceptable.
• Time-bombing (n): The act of setting or using time-bombs.
  • The authorities investigated the time-bombing of the government building. (The act of planting a delayed-explosion device.)
• Time-bomber (n): A person who plants or uses time-bombs.
  • The time-bomber was arrested before the device could explode. (The perpetrator of the delayed-explosion attack.)

Synonyms

• Delayed-action bomb: A bomb that explodes after a set time.
• Ticking bomb: A bomb that is actively counting down to detonation; also used metaphorically.
• Crisis in the making: A situation that will inevitably lead to disaster.
• Powder keg: A volatile situation that could explode at any moment.

Related Idioms

• A time-bomb waiting to go off: A situation that is certain to become problematic.
  • The outdated infrastructure is a time-bomb waiting to go off. (It will fail catastrophically soon.)
• To set a time-bomb: To create a delayed but inevitable problem.
  • By ignoring the warnings, the company set a time-bomb for itself. (They caused a future crisis.)