land mine
B2Neutral to formal in literal sense; metaphorical use is common in journalistic and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An explosive device concealed in or on the ground, designed to detonate when a person, vehicle, or animal comes into contact with it.
Any hidden, unpredictable danger or obstacle that may suddenly cause significant harm or disruption. Also, in a metaphorical sense, a sensitive topic or issue that is likely to cause a strong, negative reaction if mentioned.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The literal meaning is a military/technical term. The metaphorical extension is highly productive, especially in discussions of politics, business, and social issues, describing anything that poses a sudden, concealed threat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK English predominantly uses the solid compound 'landmine'. US English more commonly uses the open form 'land mine' (especially in formal/military contexts), though 'landmine' is also seen. The metaphorical usage is common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations of hidden danger, cruelty, and lasting societal harm from the literal device. The metaphorical sense is equally potent in both.
Frequency
Comparatively high in news/political discourse due to global landmine issues and common metaphorical use. No significant frequency difference between varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] cleared/planted/stepped on a land mine.The [area/field] was littered with land mines.The topic was a political land mine.To [verb] around a land mine (metaphor).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) a political land mine”
- “(to) navigate a minefield (related metaphorical idiom)”
- “(to) step on a land mine (metaphorical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The proposed merger is fraught with regulatory land mines." (Metaphorical: hidden obstacles)
Academic
"The post-conflict landscape remains contaminated with unexploded land mines." (Literal, in security/development studies)
Everyday
"Be careful bringing up his divorce—it's a real land mine." (Metaphorical: sensitive topic)
Technical
"The minimum metal land mine was detected using ground-penetrating radar." (Literal, military/engineering)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The army worked to landmine the approach to the bridge.
- The region has been heavily landmined.
American English
- Forces were ordered to land-mine the perimeter.
- The roads were suspected of being land-mined.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He specialised in landmine clearance.
- The landmine victim received aid.
American English
- They discussed land-mine prohibition treaties.
- She is a land-mine awareness activist.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The sign warns of land mines.
- Land mines are very dangerous.
- They are clearing land mines from the old battlefield.
- The journalist avoided the land mine of local politics.
- Decades after the war, farmers still risk triggering undiscovered land mines.
- The new tax policy is a potential land mine for the government.
- The international treaty prohibits the use of anti-personnel land mines.
- Negotiating the contract was like navigating a field of legal land mines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of LAND (the ground) + MINE (as in 'to excavate minerals', but here it 'mines' or targets victims from the land). It's a mine that works on land.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIDDEN DANGERS ARE BURIED EXPLOSIVES; SENSITIVE TOPICS ARE TRIGGERABLE EXPLOSIVES.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'земляная мина'. The correct equivalent is 'противопехотная мина' (anti-personnel mine) or simply 'мина' in context. 'Land mine' is not a 'mine' in the mining/mineral sense ('шахта', 'рудник').
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'landmine' vs. 'land mine' (both acceptable, but style guides may differ).
- Using 'land mine' to refer to a naval mine (which is in water).
- Confusing the metaphorical use with a simple 'problem' (a land mine is a specifically hidden and explosive problem).
Practice
Quiz
In a business meeting, if someone says 'That's a land mine', what do they most likely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Land mine' (open form) is often preferred in formal and American military contexts, while 'landmine' (solid) is common, especially in UK English and general use. Dictionaries list both.
Yes, but it's less common and often hyphenated ('to land-mine an area'). It means to place land mines in an area. The metaphorical verb use is rare.
In modern context, 'mine' alone can refer to a land mine, especially in military discourse. However, 'mine' can also mean an excavation for minerals or a naval underwater explosive. 'Land mine' is specific to explosive devices on or under the ground.
It refers to any hidden subject, issue, or situation that, if encountered or triggered, will cause an unexpectedly severe and damaging reaction (e.g., "His bankruptcy is a land mine in the negotiations").
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