tinderbox

tin·der·box

 (tĭn′dər-bŏks′)

n.

1. A metal box for holding tinder.

2. A potentially explosive place or situation: referred to the crowded prison as a tinderbox of suppressed violence.

tinderbox

(ˈtɪndəˌbɒks)

n

1. a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel

2. a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive

tin•der•box

(ˈtɪn dərˌbɒks)

n.

1. a box for holding tinder, usu. fitted with a flint and steel.

2. a person or thing that is highly volatile; any potential source of violence.

[1520–30]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tinderbox - a dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence; "the Balkans are the tinderbox of Europe" situation - a complex or critical or unusual difficulty; "the dangerous situation developed suddenly"; "that's quite a situation"; "no human situation is simple"
	2.	tinderbox - a box for holding tinder box - a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid; "he rummaged through a box of spare parts"

Translations

tinderbox

[ˈtɪndəbɒks] N → yescas fpl (fig) → polvorín m

tinderbox

n → Zunderbüchse f; to be (like) a tinderbox → wie Zunder brennen; (country etc) → ein Pulverfass sein