time bomb
MediumNeutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A bomb designed to explode at a predetermined time.
A situation or issue expected to become dangerous or problematic in the future.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; can be literal (explosive device) or metaphorical (pending crisis), with metaphorical use being more common in contemporary English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similarly connotates urgency and impending danger in both variants.
Frequency
Equally common in UK and US English, with slight preference in metaphorical contexts in news media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
noun + of + noun (e.g., time bomb of debt)adjective + time bomb (e.g., hidden time bomb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ticking time bomb”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to financial risks or operational flaws that may escalate into crises, e.g., 'The company's debt is a time bomb.'
Academic
Used in social sciences to describe societal issues with delayed impacts, e.g., 'Demographic shifts act as a time bomb for welfare systems.'
Everyday
Commonly describes personal or community problems brewing over time, e.g., 'Their argument was a time bomb waiting to explode.'
Technical
In security or engineering contexts, denotes literal timed explosive devices, e.g., 'The squad defused the time bomb safely.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The time-bomb threat in the city centre required evacuation.
American English
- The time-bomb scenario at the factory led to a safety review.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The time bomb exploded after midnight.
- She called the pollution a time bomb for our health.
- The ageing population is a ticking time bomb that could overwhelm public services.
- If left unaddressed, the cybersecurity漏洞 will function as a digital time bomb with global repercussions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock ticking down on a bomb; the 'time' reminds you of the countdown to an explosion, whether literal or figurative.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE TIME-BOUND EXPLOSIVES
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation 'временная бомба' may not convey the metaphorical sense; ensure context indicates pending danger.
- Avoid confusing with 'time capsule' (капсула времени), which is for preservation, not destruction.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'time bomb' to refer to a time capsule.
- Applying the metaphor to non-time-sensitive issues without implied urgency.
Practice
Quiz
What is the metaphorical meaning of 'time bomb'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe any pending crisis or dangerous situation expected to escalate over time.
Yes, as a noun, it can be pluralized to 'time bombs', referring to multiple devices or metaphorical issues.
It originates from the early 20th century, combining 'time' (indicating a scheduled event) and 'bomb' (explosive device), later extended metaphorically.
Use it as a noun, often with modifiers like 'ticking' for emphasis, e.g., 'The economic policies are a time bomb for future generations.'
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