trouble spot
Area of conflict
A trouble spot is a place where problems, conflict, or danger regularly occur.
The term often describes geographic locations prone to violence or political instability: Journalists were deployed to trouble spots across the region.
It can also refer to any area of recurring difficulty: The back of the knee is a trouble spot for sunburn.
Ignition temperature threshold
- war zoneArea of active conflict
- tensionStretched or strained state
- crisis pointDecisive turning moment
- powder kegVolatile, dangerous situation
unrest · strife · battleground · no-go zone · danger zone · contested territory · instability · front line
Visible flaw or mark
- breakoutSudden escape from restraint
- acneInflamed skin condition
- pimpleInflamed skin bump
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
irritation · inflammation · redness · flare-up · eczema · psoriasis · blotch · discoloration
Exploitable flaw or vulnerability
- flawImperfection in something
- issuePoint of contention
- snagUnforeseen complication
- glitchMinor system fault
bug · bottleneck · pain point · sticking point · hurdle · obstacle · complication · difficulty
Inherent imperfection or fault
- stress pointWhere strain concentrates
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- leakEscape through a breach
crack · fault · damage · erosion · deterioration · weakness · failure · friction point
flashpoint
Ignition temperature threshold
- war zoneArea of active conflict
- tensionStretched or strained state
- crisis pointDecisive turning moment
powder keg · unrest · strife · battleground · no-go zone · danger zone · contested territory · instability · front line · skirmish
blemish
Visible flaw or mark
rash · irritation · inflammation · redness · flare-up · eczema · psoriasis · blotch · discoloration · hives
weak point
Exploitable flaw or vulnerability
glitch · bug · bottleneck · pain point · sticking point · hurdle · obstacle · complication · difficulty · defect
defect
Inherent imperfection or fault
- stress pointWhere strain concentrates
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- corrosionChemical wearing away
leak · crack · fault · damage · erosion · deterioration · weakness · failure · friction point · strain
- war zonesbattlefield, combat zone, battleground, front line, warzone
- danger zonesdanger zone, danger zones, disaster zone, war zone, war zones
- weaknessesweakness, flaw, failing, defect, shortcoming
- pointspoint, points, peak, peaks, tip
- spotsblot, blotch, dot, fleck, mark
trouble spotsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
safe zone · sanctuary · secure area · safety zone · haven
trouble spotsuccess story
Narrative of achievement
bright spot · showcase · exemplar · poster child · crown jewel
spot, trouble, troubled, spotted, spotless, troubles, spots, troubling, troublesome