time bomb
noun [ C usually singular ] (also timebomb) uk/ˈtaɪm ˌbɒm/ us/ˈtaɪm ˌbɑːm/
(BOMB)
定时炸弹
a bomb containing a device that makes it explode at a particular time
They dropped a couple of time bombs to destroy the factory.
She is like a ticking timebomb waiting to explode.
- More examples
- Time bombs began to explode all over the city.
- Police said the time bombs went off early on Monday morning.
- Some viruses behave like timebombs, hiding their presence and destructiveness until they have had a chance to spread.
(DIFFICULT SITUATION)
潜在危险；隐患
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. 忽视了雇员的愿望，管理人员等于是在给自己埋下／制造一颗定时炸弹。
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). 监狱长们如同正坐在定时炸弹上。
- More examples
- We are facing the demographic time bomb of a rapidly ageing population.
- The sector has known about this timebomb for some time.
- He must do something to ease financial pressures or we face a debt timebomb about to explode.