51Թ

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View synonyms for

time bomb

noun

  1. a bomb constructed so as to explode at a certain time.

  2. a situation, condition, etc., resembling such a bomb in having disastrous consequences in the future.



time bomb

noun

  1. a bomb containing a timing mechanism that determines the time at which it will detonate

  2. a situation which, if allowed to continue, will develop into a serious problem

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of time bomb1

First recorded in 1890–95
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Idioms and Phrases

A situation that threatens to have disastrous consequences at some future time, as in That departmental dispute is a time bomb just waiting to go off. This term alludes to an explosive device that is set to go off at a specific time. [First half of 1900s]
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"There was no way he was going to take his medication and I told them that... it was literally just a time bomb waiting to happen."

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Mr Knight said the nasal tanners were a "wild west-type product" and they were a "ticking time bomb" and something people could regret putting into their body at a later date.

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This has been a time bomb waiting to go off in terms of someone getting seriously injured.

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As a human rights attorney, I’ve seen some of the worst conduct by government employees, military officials, and private contractors – often done under the weighty guise of protecting the country from mythical ticking time bombs.

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Some Wodehouse lines are like time bombs, detonating with a momentary delay.

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