landmine
Americannoun
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an explosive charge concealed just under the surface of the ground or of a roadway, designed to be detonated by pressure, proximity of a vehicle or person, etc.
Etymology
Origin of landmine
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But this time, he may have stepped on Bush’s landmine.
From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026
Talking about this issue can be a political landmine, but Poo talks directly to caregivers.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025
The SDF denied any involvement in the deaths, saying in a statement "we categorically affirm that this information is incorrect" and blaming the incident on "landmine explosions".
From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025
In addition to highlighting Charlton's non-football activities, as diverse as a local children's adventure farm and landmine clearing in conflict zones, Shiels too spoke of the human side of a thoroughly decent man.
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2023
“People do want to go back, but there’s landmine clearance, which is a huge security threat,” she said, adding that government estimates expect de-mining operations to cost $25 billion and take three decades.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.