time bomb
Delayed explosive device
A time bomb is an explosive device set to detonate at a predetermined time.
Figuratively, it describes any situation likely to cause serious problems eventually: The pension shortfall is a time bomb for the state budget.
A person described as a time bomb is prone to explosive outbursts: He's a time bomb waiting to go off.
Protective melting wire
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- triggerWhat initiates action
- deviceConstructed tool or machine
mechanism · wiring · defuse · detonate · blast · disposal · concealed · planted
Decisive dangerous moment
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- collapseSudden structural failure
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- inevitableCertain to occur
brewing · lurking · festering · unaddressed · smoldering · dormant · delayed · consequences
Backward enumeration to zero
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- ticking clockClock making sound
- cutoffPoint of termination
- urgencyPressing need for action
running out · last minute · zero hour · expiration · limit
Backward enumeration to zero
- tickingRhythmic mechanical sound
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- anticipationState of awaiting something
anxiety · impending · looming · inevitable · foreboding · ominous · waiting · nerve-wracking
fuse
Protective melting wire
device · mechanism · wiring · defuse · detonate · blast · disposal · concealed · planted · ticking
crisis
Decisive dangerous moment
inevitable · brewing · lurking · festering · unaddressed · smoldering · dormant · delayed · consequences · reckoning
countdown
Backward enumeration to zero
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- ticking clockClock making sound
- cutoffPoint of termination
urgency · running out · last minute · zero hour · expiration · limit
countdown
Backward enumeration to zero
- tickingRhythmic mechanical sound
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
anticipation · anxiety · impending · looming · inevitable · foreboding · ominous · waiting · nerve-wracking · uncertainty
- suspensesuspense, suspenseful, tension, nail-biter, nail-biting
- cyber threatsmalware, phishing, hacking, virus, ransomware
- copy protectionDRM, content protection, digital rights, digital watermark, CSS
- Explosivesdynamite, grenade, TNT, C-4, land mine
- malwarevirus, viruses, worm, worms, trojan horse
- angeranger, rage, fury, wrath, ire
time bombsafe bet
Likely winning wager
sure thing · steady state · well-oiled machine · equilibrium · permanence
time, bomb, timeless, timely, timed, timing, timetable, temporal, bomber