minefield

[mahyn-feeld]

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.

minefield

/ ˈmaɪnˌfiːld /

noun

1. an area of ground or water containing explosive mines

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of minefield¹

First recorded in 1885–90; mine ² + field

Example Sentences

It’s a minefield of emotions, good and bad and very, very sad.

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The game’s done and it’s all put away; we’ve walked through the minefields and we’ve met now in no man’s lands.

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The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has called the broader benefits system unsustainable and unfair but so far selling welfare reform to Labour backbenchers has proved a political minefield for Number 10.

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The Medicare Advantage program, which services about half of all seniors enrolled in Medicare, has been a minefield for the insurance industry and providers due to high medical costs.

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“Historically, it’s been kind of a minefield,” he said.

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