sitting on a powder keg

In a situation that could quickly become very volatile and dangerous. It became obvious we were sitting on a powder keg as the protests in the city became more frequent and more violent. I'm going to start looking for another job. With how lax they are at the mine, it just feels like we're sitting on a powder keg every day.

See also: keg, on, powder, sitting

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sitting on a powder keg

Fig. in a risky or explosive situation; in a situation where something serious or dangerous may happen at any time. (A powder keg is a keg of gunpowder.) Things are very tense at work. The whole office is sitting on a powder keg. The fire at the oilfield seems to be under control for now, but all the workers there are sitting on a powder keg.

See also: keg, on, powder, sitting

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

sitting on a powder keg

In imminent danger, in an explosive situation, as in Our office is sitting on a powder keg while management decides whether or not to close us down . This metaphoric term alludes to sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could go off at any moment. [First half of 1900s]

See also: keg, on, powder, sitting

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

sitting on a powder keg

In imminent danger. This phrase that arose in the early 19th century (if not before) suggests being atop a barrel of gunpowder that could explode at any time.

See also: keg, on, powder, sitting

Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price

See also:

a powder keg
powder keg
be on the same wavelength
be on the same wavelength/on different wavelengths
backseat
backseat driver
driver
a back-seat driver
become unglued
become of (one)

References in periodicals archive

No matter how in the throes they are to the Abortion Industry and the Bernie Sanders' wing of the party, what few remaining realists there are at the top have to know they are sitting on a powder keg.

So busy torching the Trump Administration they don't realize their own house is on fire

Western leaders must accept that their ancestors' desire to create empires must be looked at and the larger ethnic groups in these artificial states must accept they are sitting on a powder keg.

Solving conflicts that prevent world peace; Views of Wales

It's a fact that the region is sitting on a powder keg, with rhetoric and polarization having reached levels not seen since the 1950s.

Diplomacy trumps all

Lebanon is undoubtedly sitting on a powder keg. Daesh only makes its moves (in the Middle East) in countries with a weak or no political system.

Beirut bombings

I don't think there's any doubt they're sitting on a powder keg there."

Refugees accused of riot for escape

The solicitor acting for the families of the soldiers, John Mackenzie, [ok] told him: "You were sitting on a powder keg."

Three years on, Red Cap deaths examined

"You were sitting on a powder keg," said the family's solicitor John Mackenzie.

Iraqi death mob seen as 'benign'

Prison officers fear they are sitting on a powder keg of suspicion after stepping up their action in a meal breaks dispute.

Archive 25 Years ago

BIRMINGHAM boss Trevor Francis is sitting on a powder keg. Steve Bruce, Gary Ablett and Barry Horne are the latest players unhappy at St Andrews, joining Mike Newell.

New boy puts the squeeze on Souey; HOTLINE

Christina Spahn, codirector of the Albuquerque Center for Action and Contemplation, a training center for activists, said: "I have a feeling we're sitting on a powder keg. The church has never dealt with sexuality."

'60 Minutes' sex-abuse investigation raises speculation in Albuquerque

This deal is likely to trigger an arms race in the region, which is already sitting on a powder keg. The US policies in post-Saddam era have changed the dynamics of the Middle East.

US policies

Summary: One can easily come up with all of the standard descriptions for what Lebanon is experiencing today: a time bomb, on the brink, sitting on a powder keg, etc.

Rough ride down memory lane

'You were sitting on a powder keg,' said Mr Mackenzie.

Were these six young men sent by the Army into Iraqi death trap?

词组	sitting on a powder keg
释义	sitting on a powder keg sitting on a powder keg In a situation that could quickly become very volatile and dangerous. It became obvious we were sitting on a powder keg as the protests in the city became more frequent and more violent. I'm going to start looking for another job. With how lax they are at the mine, it just feels like we're sitting on a powder keg every day. See also: keg, on, powder, sitting Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. sitting on a powder keg Fig. in a risky or explosive situation; in a situation where something serious or dangerous may happen at any time. (A powder keg is a keg of gunpowder.) Things are very tense at work. The whole office is sitting on a powder keg. The fire at the oilfield seems to be under control for now, but all the workers there are sitting on a powder keg. See also: keg, on, powder, sitting McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. sitting on a powder keg In imminent danger, in an explosive situation, as in Our office is sitting on a powder keg while management decides whether or not to close us down . This metaphoric term alludes to sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could go off at any moment. [First half of 1900s] See also: keg, on, powder, sitting The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. sitting on a powder keg In imminent danger. This phrase that arose in the early 19th century (if not before) suggests being atop a barrel of gunpowder that could explode at any time. See also: keg, on, powder, sitting Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price See also: a powder keg powder keg be on the same wavelength be on the same wavelength/on different wavelengths backseat backseat driver driver a back-seat driver become unglued become of (one) References in periodicals archive No matter how in the throes they are to the Abortion Industry and the Bernie Sanders' wing of the party, what few remaining realists there are at the top have to know they are sitting on a powder keg. So busy torching the Trump Administration they don't realize their own house is on fire Western leaders must accept that their ancestors' desire to create empires must be looked at and the larger ethnic groups in these artificial states must accept they are sitting on a powder keg. Solving conflicts that prevent world peace; Views of Wales It's a fact that the region is sitting on a powder keg, with rhetoric and polarization having reached levels not seen since the 1950s. Diplomacy trumps all Lebanon is undoubtedly sitting on a powder keg. Daesh only makes its moves (in the Middle East) in countries with a weak or no political system. Beirut bombings I don't think there's any doubt they're sitting on a powder keg there." Refugees accused of riot for escape The solicitor acting for the families of the soldiers, John Mackenzie, [ok] told him: "You were sitting on a powder keg." Three years on, Red Cap deaths examined "You were sitting on a powder keg," said the family's solicitor John Mackenzie. Iraqi death mob seen as 'benign' Prison officers fear they are sitting on a powder keg of suspicion after stepping up their action in a meal breaks dispute. Archive 25 Years ago BIRMINGHAM boss Trevor Francis is sitting on a powder keg. Steve Bruce, Gary Ablett and Barry Horne are the latest players unhappy at St Andrews, joining Mike Newell. New boy puts the squeeze on Souey; HOTLINE Christina Spahn, codirector of the Albuquerque Center for Action and Contemplation, a training center for activists, said: "I have a feeling we're sitting on a powder keg. The church has never dealt with sexuality." '60 Minutes' sex-abuse investigation raises speculation in Albuquerque This deal is likely to trigger an arms race in the region, which is already sitting on a powder keg. The US policies in post-Saddam era have changed the dynamics of the Middle East. US policies Summary: One can easily come up with all of the standard descriptions for what Lebanon is experiencing today: a time bomb, on the brink, sitting on a powder keg, etc. Rough ride down memory lane 'You were sitting on a powder keg,' said Mr Mackenzie. Were these six young men sent by the Army into Iraqi death trap?
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