minefield

American  

[mahyn-feeld] / ˈmaɪnˌfild /

noun

1. Military, Naval. an area of land or water throughout which explosive mines have been laid.

2. a situation fraught with potential problems or dangers.

   Businesses face an ethical minefield when they operate internationally.

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minefield British  

/ ˈmaɪnˌfiːld /

noun

1. an area of ground or water containing explosive mines

2. a subject, situation, etc, beset with hidden problems

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Etymology

Origin of minefield

First recorded in 1885–90; mine ² + field

Example Sentences

Detailed minefield plans would then have to be drawn up, on paper and via a smartphone app which is in development.

From Barron's

But like your average dog park, the subject is a minefield.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even-tempered and even-handed, he’s a good guide through the minefields of racial history — he keeps you from blowing up.

From Los Angeles Times

Suddenly reporting from Russia felt like walking a tightrope over a legal minefield.

From BBC

So all of this was an ideological minefield.

From The Wall Street Journal