time-bomb
Clock-triggered explosive device
A time-bomb is an explosive device designed to detonate at a preset time, allowing the person who plants it to be far away when it goes off.
The figurative sense is more common: any situation or condition that seems stable now but will inevitably cause serious problems later.
The country's debt is a time-bomb waiting to explode.
Health issues, political tensions, or aging infrastructure can all be described as time-bombs when their consequences seem delayed but certain.
Backward enumeration to zero
- imminentAbout to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
critical · emergency · pressing · deadline · inevitable · approaching · accelerating · precipitous
Explosive ignition event
- fuseProtective melting wire
- blastSudden forceful burst
- dynamitePowerful blasting compound
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
grenade · C4 · landmine · booby-trap · incendiary · demolition · plunger · trigger
Rhythmic mechanical sound
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- anticipationState of awaiting something
apprehension · unease · nervousness · foreboding · pressure · stress · alarm · fear
Present but inactive
- dormantInactive but capable
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
- unresolvedLacking final determination
brewing · smoldering · tinderbox · unaddressed · underlying · accumulating · escalating · unsustainable
countdown
Backward enumeration to zero
crisis · critical · emergency · pressing · deadline · inevitable · approaching · accelerating · precipitous
detonation
Explosive ignition event
IED · grenade · C4 · landmine · booby-trap · incendiary · demolition · plunger · trigger · device
ticking
Rhythmic mechanical sound
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
anticipation · apprehension · unease · nervousness · foreboding · pressure · stress · alarm · fear · edginess
latent
Present but inactive
unresolved · brewing · smoldering · tinderbox · unaddressed · underlying · accumulating · escalating · unsustainable · precarious
hazard
Source of potential harm
terrorism · sabotage · threat · warfare · catastrophe · destruction · lethal · deadly · risk · menace
time-bombdud
Failed device or effort
tripwire · remote detonation · pressure plate · proximity mine · dead man's switch
time-bombsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sure thing · rock-solid · equilibrium · steady state · non-issue
time, bomb, times, timed, timing, timer, timers, timely, untimely