ticking bomb
Countdown to disaster
A ticking bomb is an explosive device set to detonate after a countdown—the ticking suggests a mechanical timer.
The phrase appears far more often as a metaphor for any situation heading toward inevitable crisis: The national debt is a ticking bomb.
A person described as a ticking bomb is dangerously close to an emotional explosion or violent outburst.
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- fuseProtective melting wire
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
explosive device · urgent · tension · suspense · nail biter · on edge · high stakes · clock · red wire · blast · danger · threat · imminent · pressure · crisis · volatile · unstable · hidden
- action clichesexplosion, car chase, one-liner, slow motion, shootout
- Moral Dilemmastrolley problem, prisoner's dilemma, tragic choice, mercy killing, euthanasia
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- Risk-Takingplaying with fire, rolling the dice, taking chances, living on the edge, going for broke
- Untrustworthy Thingsbroken promise, fair-weather friend, snake in the grass, wolf in sheep's clothing, two-faced
- film techniquesdolly zoom, closeup, close-up, fade, wide shot
ticking bombsteady state
Unchanging system condition
equilibrium · calm waters · status quo · controlled environment · sure thing
ticking bombno rush
No urgency here
slow burn · leisure · stable condition · long game · holding pattern
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