minefield
Buried bomb zone
A minefield is an area where explosive mines have been buried, creating deadly hazard for anyone crossing it.
The figurative sense dominates contemporary usage: any situation full of hidden dangers or potential problems requiring careful navigation.
The interview was a minefield of controversial topics.
Navigating office politics can be a minefield.
Buried pressure-activated explosive
- booby-trapConcealed device causing harm
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- claymoreScottish great sword
unexploded ordnance · detonation · shrapnel · blast radius · demining · EOD · sappers · clearance
Hidden danger or drawback
- hazardSource of potential harm
- trapDevice for catching animals
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- dangerExposure to harm
risk · snare · stumbling block · complication · difficulty · quagmire · tightrope · powder keg
Persistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- fearEmotional response to threat
unease · nervousness · suspense · trepidation · foreboding · stress · edginess · hypervigilance
Exercising caution and attention
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
- tiptoeWalk on foot-fronts
- navigateGuide through terrain
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
avoid · sidestep · circumvent · gingerly · watchful · alert · vigilant · wary
Combat's forward position
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
deployment · entrenchment · perimeter · obstacle · barrier · flanking · ambush · artillery
landmine
Buried pressure-activated explosive
- booby-trapConcealed device causing harm
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
claymore · unexploded ordnance · detonation · shrapnel · blast radius · demining · EOD · sappers · clearance · casualties
pitfall
Hidden danger or drawback
danger · risk · snare · stumbling block · complication · difficulty · quagmire · tightrope · powder keg · hornet's nest
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- tensionStretched or strained state
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
fear · unease · nervousness · suspense · trepidation · foreboding · stress · edginess · hypervigilance · panic
careful
Exercising caution and attention
maneuver · avoid · sidestep · circumvent · gingerly · watchful · alert · vigilant · wary · pathfinding
frontline
Combat's forward position
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- combatArmed hostile engagement
fortification · deployment · entrenchment · perimeter · obstacle · barrier · flanking · ambush · artillery · infantry
- coastal defensesseawall, seawalls, sea wall, sea walls, breakwater
- Cold War SitesBerlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Iron Curtain, Brandenburg Gate, Kremlin
- forbidden placesno-go zone, no-go area, restricted area, restricted zone, black site
- Anti-tankanti-tank gun, RPG, bazooka, bazookas, javelin
- danger zonesdanger zone, danger zones, disaster zone, war zone, war zones
- defenseswall, walls, fence, gate, barrier
minefieldsafe zone
Protected area from threats
sanctuary · haven · safe haven · demilitarized zone · safe passage
minefieldsmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
clear path · cakewalk · easy street · open road · plain sailing
minefieldopen field
Unenclosed outdoor space
free range · open terrain · highway · thoroughfare · open waters