waiting to happen
Disaster in embryo
Something waiting to happen is an event or outcome that seems inevitable given current conditions.
A disaster waiting to happen describes a situation so precarious that catastrophe is only a matter of time: That old bridge is an accident waiting to happen.
The phrase almost always carries negative connotations—warnings about preventable tragedies or foreseeable failures.
- approachingComing toward something
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- inevitableCertain to occur
- dormantInactive but capable
- impendingSoon to occur
spark · latent · precarious · on thin ice · looming · coil · fuse · imminent · catalyzing · fraught · tick · hush · vulnerable · sitting duck · brewing · poised · breath · predisposed
waiting to happenin the past
Previously occurred
done and dusted · over and done with · water under the bridge · ancient history · fait accompli
waiting to happenaverted
Prevented from occurring
prevented · impossible · forestalled · nipped in the bud · headed off
wait, waiting, waits, waited, waiter, waiters, waitress, await, awaits