time bomb

• Situation, dispositif ou état qui risque fort de devenir dangereux ou problématique à l'avenir, souvent avec un sentiment d'urgence ou d'inéluctabilité.

A situation, device, or condition that is likely to become dangerous or problematic in the future, often with a sense of urgency or inevitability.

1. Explosive deviceB1formal

   A bomb that is set to explode at a specific time.

   bombe à retardement

   • The police defused a time bomb found in the building.
   • The terrorists planted a time bomb in the crowded market.
   • The bomb squad safely removed the time bomb before it detonated.

2. Dangerous situationB2informal

   A situation that is likely to become dangerous or problematic in the future.

   bombe à retardement

   • The company's financial problems are a ticking time bomb.
   • The unresolved conflict between the two groups is a time bomb.
   • Ignoring climate change is like sitting on a time bomb.