tinderbox of tension
- noun
- Literature
:
situación tensa
- After months of disputes, the workplace became a tinderbox of tension.
Examples
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The match was played in a tinderbox of tension as fans anxiously awaited the result.
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This area is a tinderbox of tension!
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The negotiations were a tinderbox of tension, with both sides barely containing their anger.
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The region has become a tinderbox of tension in recent months.
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The ongoing political disputes created a tinderbox of tension that could lead to violence at any moment.
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In the crowded marketplace, the heated debate quickly escalated, turning it into a tinderbox of tension.
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With so many opposing views present at the meeting, it felt like a tinderbox of tension ready to explode.
Synonyms
11
5.6
A place where political unrest may lead to violence
8
7.2
A situation that causes much trouble and angry reactions
6
8.3
A place or situation likely to become suddenly violent because of tensions
4
5.1
A place where political conflict or violence often happens
1
6.7
A situation that causes trouble, danger, or strong disagreement
A tense unstable situation that could easily become violent
Antonyms
How Volatile
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase's meaning is directly built from its parts: 'tinderbox' (a situation likely to ignite) combined with 'tension' (strain or hostility) via the linking 'of', yielding a situation likely to erupt. This compositional metaphor follows transparent noun + of + noun patterns and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Tinderbox of tension comes from the old box called a tinderbox, filled with dry material that can catch fire from one small spark and so is ready to burn, and tension here means the strong, nervous feeling between people. That's why a 'tinderbox of tension' describes a situation likely to suddenly 'explode' into conflict.