powder keg
Americannoun
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a small, metal, barrellike container for gunpowder or blasting powder.
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a potentially dangerous situation, especially one involving violent repercussions.
noun
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a small barrel used to hold gunpowder
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informal a potential source or scene of violence, disaster, etc
Etymology
Origin of powder keg
First recorded in 1850–55
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.
This in exchange for quickly ignored sanctions, making Iran the powder keg that it was before Feb. 28.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026
On Monday morning, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described the situation as a "powder keg".
From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2026
The career soldier, who in 2021 collaborated with Daglo to oust civilians from a transitional government, wrote on Wednesday: "I long recognised that the RSF was a powder keg."
From Barron's ● Nov. 26, 2025
For Crudup, Timothy isn’t a bitter powder keg but a man looking for a little closure, someone who has made peace with the past until the moment he doesn’t get the apology he’s expecting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025
I heard stomping on the back porch, and Tag came inside followed by a short man shaped like a powder keg.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
