death trap
Fatally dangerous situation
A death trap is a place or situation dangerously likely to cause death or serious harm.
The term applies to buildings with blocked exits, vehicles with faulty brakes, or any circumstance where disaster seems inevitable: That old elevator is a death trap.
The phrase often carries hyperbole—expressing alarm more than literal prediction of fatality.
Likely to cause injury
- perilousFraught with danger
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- riskyInvolving possible harm
precarious · menacing · threatening · fatal · lethal · toxic · catastrophic · destructive
Having defects or errors
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- crashSudden violent impact
- collisionForceful contact between objects
wreckage · rollover · pileup · smashup · derailment · overturn · lemon · clunker
Explosive-laden territory
Unsteady, liable to collapse
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
- unstableProne to sudden change
unsafe · condemned · decrepit · tumbledown · derelict · neglected · abandoned · flimsy
hazardous
Likely to cause injury
- perilousFraught with danger
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- dangerousApt to cause harm
risky · precarious · menacing · threatening · fatal · lethal · toxic · catastrophic · destructive · devastating
faulty
Having defects or errors
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- crashSudden violent impact
collision · wreckage · rollover · pileup · smashup · derailment · overturn · lemon · clunker · jalopy
minefield
Explosive-laden territory
- war zoneArea of active conflict
- slumImpoverished urban district
- sweatshopExploitative manufacturing workplace
tenement · firetrap · hellhole · construction site · abandoned mine
rickety
Unsteady, liable to collapse
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
unstable · unsafe · condemned · decrepit · tumbledown · derelict · neglected · abandoned · flimsy · shaky
death trapsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · refuge · safe house · shelter · haven