third rail
Locomotive power strip
The third rail is an electrified rail running alongside train tracks, supplying power to subway and rail cars.
Touching it is usually fatal, which gives the figurative sense: a third rail in politics is an issue so dangerous that addressing it invites career-ending consequences.
Social Security has long been called the third rail of American politics.
Underground transit passage
- metroUrban rail transit
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- trackPath or monitored route
- platformRaised flat structure
train · rapid transit · tunnel · depot · rolling stock · traction · signal system · transit authority
Electrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- power supplyElectrical energy delivery device
- substationPower distribution point
transformer · circuit · insulator · electricity · direct current · kilovolt · rectifier · collector
Prohibited from access
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- nonstarterDoomed proposal from outset
- verbotenProhibited by authority
controversial · unmentionable · lightning rod · minefield · hot potato · divisive
Federal old-age insurance program
- MedicareFederal senior health program
- entitlementsLegally guaranteed benefits
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
- abortionEnding a pregnancy
gun control · electorate · campaign · wedge issue · polarization · hot-button · pension reform · taxation
Death from electrical current
- high voltageDangerous electrical potential
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- dangerExposure to harm
live wire · lethal · death · warning sign · safety barrier · protective cover · risk · accident
subway
Underground transit passage
- metroUrban rail transit
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- trackPath or monitored route
platform · train · rapid transit · tunnel · depot · rolling stock · traction · signal system · transit authority · trainset
voltage
Electrical potential difference
- currentDirected flow of charge
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- power supplyElectrical energy delivery device
substation · transformer · circuit · insulator · electricity · direct current · kilovolt · rectifier · collector · energized
off-limits
Prohibited from access
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- nonstarterDoomed proposal from outset
verboten · controversial · unmentionable · lightning rod · minefield · hot potato · divisive
Social Security
Federal old-age insurance program
- MedicareFederal senior health program
- entitlementsLegally guaranteed benefits
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
abortion · gun control · electorate · campaign · wedge issue · polarization · hot-button · pension reform · taxation
electrocution
Death from electrical current
- high voltageDangerous electrical potential
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- fatalCausing death or ruin
danger · live wire · lethal · death · warning sign · safety barrier · protective cover · risk · accident · burns
- trainstrains, train, locomotive, locomotives, steam locomotive
- public transitbus, train, subway, metro, tram
- Metro Systemssubway station, Paris Metro, metro line, subway line, London Underground
- railshandrail, guardrail, monorail, banister, balustrade
- subwaytrains, stations, platforms, tunnels, tracks
- subway stationplatform edge, turnstile, tracks, train, subway map
third railcrowd-pleaser
Broadly appealing entertainment
motherhood and apple pie · common ground · easy win · softball · layup
third railfair game
Legitimate object of pursuit
watercooler talk · polite conversation · casual conversation · public discourse
rail, third, railroad, railing, railway, thirds, railroads, railways, derailed