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Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.

Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.

tinderbox

tinderbox
Noun
pl: tinderboxes

The term evokes a sense of precariousness and imminent danger. In its literal sense, it refers to a primitive tool for fire-starting, carrying a connotation of survivalism or historical utility. When used as a metaphor, it describes a state of extreme tension where a single small event can trigger a catastrophic explosion of conflict.

This metaphorical usage is typically applied to geopolitical hotspots or highly charged social environments. It suggests that the conditions for disaster are already present and only require a spark to ignite, emphasizing volatility over stability.

Meanings

Nountinderbox

A small container used for holding tinder, flint, and steel for starting a fire.

He kept a small tinderbox in his pocket for camping trips.

Nountinderbox

A place or situation that is extremely volatile and likely to erupt into violence or conflict at any moment.

The border region has become a political tinderbox after the recent treaty violation.

Examples

The pioneer reached into his bag and pulled out a small metal tinderbox.

none

The pioneer reached into his bag and pulled out a small metal tinderbox.

He carefully stored the flint and steel inside the tinderbox to keep them dry.

none

He carefully stored the flint and steel inside the tinderbox to keep them dry.

The old wooden chest served as a tinderbox for the early settlers.

none

The old wooden chest served as a tinderbox for the early settlers.

The border region has become a tinderbox after months of diplomatic failure.

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The border region has become a tinderbox after months of diplomatic failure.

One wrong word could ignite this tinderbox of a situation.

none

One wrong word could ignite this tinderbox of a situation.

The city was a tinderbox waiting for a single spark to start the riot.

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The city was a tinderbox waiting for a single spark to start the riot.

I can feel the tension in the room; it is a complete tinderbox right now.

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I can feel the tension in the room; it is a complete tinderbox right now.

The political climate in the province is a tinderbox of ethnic tension.

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The political climate in the province is a tinderbox of ethnic tension.

They warned that the unstable government had turned the capital into a tinderbox.

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They warned that the unstable government had turned the capital into a tinderbox.

Related Words

tinderfiresparkflintsteelcombustioninflammationvolatilityinstabilityexplosiondangerhazardignitionkindlingfuelmatchpyreconflagrationblazetensionconflictunrestprecariousnessdetonatorfuse
Última atualização: May 2026Reportar um erro