powder keg
Volatile, dangerous situation
A powder keg is a barrel for storing gunpowder.
The figurative sense dominates: a volatile situation that could explode into violence or conflict at any moment.
The region remains a powder keg, Unemployment and inflation created a powder keg.
The image captures how stored explosive material awaits only a spark.
Tiny fiery particle
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- catalystAgent enabling change
- triggerWhat initiates action
- tinderboxFire-starting kit holder
kindling · fuse · match · incendiary · conflagration · explosion · eruption · detonation
Powerful blasting compound
- TNTPowerful blasting compound
- nitroglycerinExplosive compound, cardiac drug
- corditeSmokeless firearm propellant
- blasting capDevice initiating explosives
detonator · fuse · cartridge · shell · bomb · mine · grenade · munitions
Cooking below boiling point
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
- buildingEnclosed roofed structure
- escalatingIncreasing by degrees
festering · boiling point · unrest · turmoil · strife · friction · antagonism · hostility
Prone to sudden change
- combustibleCapable of burning
- inflammableAble to catch fire
- reactiveTending to respond
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
delicate · precarious · unpredictable · temperamental · touchy · hair-trigger · ticking · primed
Southeastern European peninsula
- Middle EastAsia-Africa-Europe junction zone
- KashmirContested Himalayan region
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- conflict zoneArea of active hostilities
war zone · territorial dispute · ethnic tension · sectarian · insurgency · civil unrest · uprising · revolution
spark
Tiny fiery particle
tinderbox · kindling · fuse · match · incendiary · conflagration · explosion · eruption · detonation · blowup
dynamite
Powerful blasting compound
- TNTPowerful blasting compound
- nitroglycerinExplosive compound, cardiac drug
- corditeSmokeless firearm propellant
blasting cap · detonator · fuse · cartridge · shell · bomb · mine · grenade · munitions · arsenal
simmering
Cooking below boiling point
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
- buildingEnclosed roofed structure
escalating · festering · boiling point · unrest · turmoil · strife · friction · antagonism · hostility · resentment
unstable
Prone to sudden change
- combustibleCapable of burning
- inflammableAble to catch fire
- reactiveTending to respond
sensitive · delicate · precarious · unpredictable · temperamental · touchy · hair-trigger · ticking · primed · loaded
Balkans
Southeastern European peninsula
- Middle EastAsia-Africa-Europe junction zone
- KashmirContested Himalayan region
- hotspotArea of notable activity
conflict zone · war zone · territorial dispute · ethnic tension · sectarian · insurgency · civil unrest · uprising · revolution · coup
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- danger zonesdanger zone, danger zones, disaster zone, war zone, war zones
- Troublesproblem, trouble, issue, setback, snag
- historical warfaremusket, bayonet, cannon, flintlock, cavalry
- angeranger, rage, fury, wrath, ire
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
powder kegsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · haven · refuge · calm waters · tranquil setting
powder kegdétente
Easing of strained relations
peace zone · peace · tranquility · harmony · demilitarized zone
powder kegstability
Resistance to displacement
calm · equilibrium · steady state · safe harbor · rock solid
powder, keg, powdered, gunpowder, powdery, powders, powdering, kegs, kegging