land mine of controversy
- noun
- Informal
:
tema polémico
- The company’s decision touched off a land mine of controversy among its investors.
Examples
-
She avoided the topic completely, fearing it was a land mine of controversy.
-
The new policy is a land mine of controversy for the administration.
-
His remarks about the policy became a land mine of controversy in the media.
-
This is a land mine of controversy!
-
His remarks about the policy became a land mine of controversy in the media.
-
The company’s decision touched off a land mine of controversy among its investors.
-
She avoided the topic completely, fearing it was a land mine of controversy.
Synonyms
465
4.9
A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people
21
6.4
An issue in talks that causes disagreement and stops progress
14
4.7
An issue that makes people feel very strongly and leads to angry debate
10
5.1
A topic that causes strong disagreement between people
8
7.2
A situation that causes much trouble and angry reactions
7
5.6
A difficult issue people try to avoid or pass to others
4
5.2
A subject that causes disagreement between people
1
3.4
A subject people often argue about
1
8.9
A thing that causes an argument between people
How Controversial
- Literature
564
2.8
- Informal
10
5.1
- Informal
5
5.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
land + mine + of + controversy
The phrase builds on the literal compound 'landmine' (an explosive device) applied metaphorically to 'controversy', so a learner who knows the constituents can plausibly infer a meaning like 'a potentially explosive or dangerous topic.' Because this relies on a metaphorical transfer (explosive device → hazardous issue) rather than simple compositional naming, the relation is understandable but not fully predictable for an average B1 learner without exposure.
Etymology
Land mine of controversy compares a topic to a land mine hidden in the ground that can explode when someone steps on it. That's why people call a subject a 'land mine of controversy' when it will 'cause a lot of trouble' or strong disagreement if you bring it up.