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Powder Keg

What Does "Powder Keg" Mean?

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"Powder keg" is an English idiom. It means "a situation or place that is highly volatile or susceptible to sudden and explosive conflict."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "powder keg" used in a sentence:
  • The region had become a powder keg of political tension, and any small incident could trigger violence.
  • The workplace was a powder keg of unresolved grievances, and it was only a matter of time before a major dispute erupted.
  • The rivalry between the two teams turned the stadium into a powder keg of emotions during the championship game.
meaning for powder keg

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Powder Keg" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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