powder keg

noun

1. a small, metal, barrellike container for gunpowder or blasting powder.

2. a potentially dangerous situation, especially one involving violent repercussions.

powder keg

noun

1. a small barrel used to hold gunpowder

2. informal,  a potential source or scene of violence, disaster, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of powder keg¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

A council leader has called for control over protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers, describing it as a "powder keg" situation.

From BBC

The press and the then-burgeoning powder keg of social media ran with it.

From Salon

He says it's like living on a powder keg – you never know when or where the next shell will land.

From BBC

The Jehanabad prison was a powder keg, housing Maoists alongside their class enemies - vigilantes from upper caste Hindu private armies.

From BBC

And for a potentially powder keg Cannes there’s also the firebomb of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• time bomb