time bomb

noun [C usually singular] (DIFFICULT SITUATION)

Definition

› a situation that is likely to become difficult to deal with or control: By ignoring the wishes of their employees, the managers are setting/creating a time bomb for themselves. The prison governors are sitting on a time bomb (= are having to deal with a bad situation that is likely to become difficult to deal with or control).Difficult situations and unpleasant experiencesAccidents and disasters

(Definition of time bomb noun (DIFFICULT SITUATION) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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Synonyms and related words:

to express disagreement or refuse to do something

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