tinderbox

A noun with two distinct meanings: it can refer to a box used for holding tinder, or metaphorically to a volatile or dangerous situation that is a potential source of conflict or violence.

• 🇫🇷Nom avec deux sens distincts : il peut désigner une boîte contenant de l'amadou et un briquet, ou, au sens figuré, une situation explosive ou dangereuse susceptible de devenir une source de conflit ou de violence.

1. Dangerous situation C1 formal

   A volatile or explosive state of affairs that could easily lead to conflict or violence.

   • The political tension in the region is a tinderbox waiting to ignite.
   • The city's economic inequality created a social tinderbox.
   • The border dispute turned the area into a tinderbox.

   🇫🇷Poudrière

   Synonymes: flashpointhotbedminefieldpowder kegtime bomb

2. Container for tinder C2 formal

   A small box or container used to hold tinder, a material used to start fires.

   • He carried a tinderbox in his backpack for camping.
   • The antique tinderbox was made of brass and leather.
   • She used the tinderbox to keep the dry moss safe for starting fires.

   🇫🇷Boîte à amadou

• tinderboxes plural form
• tinderboxes' possessive plural form
• tinderbox's possessive singular form