tinderbox
Translation
tinderbox, powder keg, flashpoint
Examples
The region is a political tinderbox.
The region is a political tinderbox.
He kept an old tinderbox on the mantelpiece.
He kept an old tinderbox on the mantelpiece.
Grammar Patterns
a political ((tinderbox)) a situation likely to become violent The city became a political tinderbox.
Similar Words
Synonyms: powder keg, flashpoint, hot spot; Antonyms: (none)
Etymology
Composed of 'tinder' (dry, flammable material) and 'box'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a box full of dry tinder, ready to ignite with a single spark. This image helps remember the figurative meaning of a volatile situation.