a recipe for disaster

a recipe for disaster

Something, especially an activity, behavior, or method of doing something, that is very likely to cause a very negative or detrimental outcome. Studying all night and getting no sleep before your final exam is a recipe for disaster. In hindsight, having the two sides of the family sitting at the same table for such a long stretch of time was always going to be a recipe for disaster.
See also: disaster, recipe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a recipe for disaster

COMMON If you say that something is a recipe for disaster, you mean that it is very likely to have unpleasant consequences or lead to failure. Trying to be trendy when dealing with teenagers is a sure recipe for disaster. Ignoring the human aspect of IT projects is a recipe for disaster.
See also: disaster, recipe
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a recipe for disaster

something that is very likely to lead to a bad outcome.
See also: disaster, recipe
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a recipe for (something)
  • a recipe for disaster, success, etc.
  • (there's) no fear of (something)
  • a fast talker
  • a ghost at the feast
  • a horse of another
  • a horse of another color
  • a horse of another colour
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
References in periodicals archive
"Failing to hold those with serious violations accountable could be a recipe for disaster."
Declarations
'It's a recipe for disaster. You're opening up a can of worms,' Lacierda said in an interview with ABS CBN News Channel.
Revoking Trillanes' amnesty a recipe for disaster-Lacierda
Everyone who went to the matches this year knew that Karanka's style of play was a recipe for disaster, he should have been finished after the Charlton walkout.
Shameful show
What that is, it's a recipe for disaster. Nobody wins in that case.
NewCastle's Foster: weak organic growth drives larger broker mergers, acquisitions
Having 700 children playing on top of a building is a recipe for disaster, no matter how well fenced off it is."
Rejected rooftop playground 'a recipe for disaster'
Shadow Charities Minister Lisa Nandy will warn a TUC and Children England conference in London: "These proposals will let a company decide what happens to children - a recipe for disaster."
Privatising child services 'a disaster'
But she added: "The reason his statement sat so uncomfortably is that profit without purpose is a recipe for disaster."
Murdoch's girl lectures TV chiefs on 'enemies within'
"Glastir is a dog's dinner and a recipe for disaster for many commons.
Glastir is 'disaster' for Welsh commons
M Hobkirk Recipe for disaster Day one of the new whip rules - it's a recipe for disaster.
CHATROOM
Her idea becomes a recipe for disaster in this fun account of cooking, which includes zany recipes kids will love.
Scholastic Press
Paul Corkrey, chairman of the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust, said: "If I'm honest, it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
'Recipe for disaster' as Sky forces late derby kick-off
Clr Martyn Bolt (left) calls the plans a recipe for disaster. Clr David Hall (right) says retail development should be resisted
Retail development a `recipe for disaster'
"This is a recipe for disaster, and the court will likely have to give further guidance as federal courts struggle to implement this standard."
File-sharing ruling sends unclear message
Settling for mediocrity is a recipe for disaster down the road.
Implementing a new audit function
And Swansea based Fire Brigade Union county secretary Neil MacPherson said, 'The move could be a recipe for disaster. Removing 24-hour coverage would put up to 10 minutes on response times so the increased risk to life is obvious.'
Outcry at plan to cut fire station manning