landmine

The literal sense refers to a weapon of war, carrying a connotation of hidden danger and indiscriminate lethality. It is typically used in military, historical, or humanitarian contexts, often associated with the long-term danger of "clearing" minefields after a conflict has ended.

In a figurative sense, the word describes a social or political situation where a single wrong word or action triggers an explosive conflict. This usage emphasizes the unpredictability and severity of the reaction, suggesting that the "mine" was hidden and the person who triggered it may have been unaware of the sensitivity of the topic.