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Synonyms

time bomb

American  

noun

  1. a bomb constructed so as to explode at a certain time.

  2. a situation, condition, etc., resembling such a bomb in having disastrous consequences in the future.

time bomb British  

noun

  1. a bomb containing a timing mechanism that determines the time at which it will detonate

  2. a situation which, if allowed to continue, will develop into a serious problem

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
time bomb Idioms  

  1. A situation that threatens to have disastrous consequences at some future time, as in That departmental dispute is a time bomb just waiting to go off. This term alludes to an explosive device that is set to go off at a specific time. [First half of 1900s]

Etymology

Origin of time bomb

First recorded in 1890–95

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.

As MacGruber, a riff on the equal parts cheesy and crafty ’80s television hero MacGyver, Forte attempted to diffuse a ticking time bomb while being distracted by the possible release of the Epstein files.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2025

“Copper is a ticking time bomb for explosive price action,” said John Caruso, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025

Now what was once a stable position feels like a ticking time bomb, with employees who worked their way up the corporate ladder awaiting their turn for a video call announcing their last day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

"It's structural security flaw," said Neves, comparing it to "a time bomb".

From Barron's • Oct. 20, 2025

But that’s not fair, to put others in the hospital at risk of me, the ticking time bomb.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

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.