flash point

The temperature at which a volatile substance can ignite when exposed to a flame; also used metaphorically to describe a critical point where a situation may escalate into conflict or violence.

• 🇵🇹Temperatura mínima na qual um líquido volátil libera vapor suficiente para formar uma mistura inflamável no ar; também usado metaforicamente para designar um ponto crítico em que uma situação pode irromper em conflito ou violência.

1. Temperature of ignition C1 formal

   The lowest temperature at which a volatile substance can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air.

   • The flash point of gasoline is very low, making it highly flammable.
   • Safety regulations require storing chemicals below their flash point.
   • The technician measured the flash point of the new solvent.

   🇵🇹Ponto de fulgor

2. Critical or explosive situation B2 informal

   A point or stage at which a situation becomes highly tense or likely to erupt into conflict.

   • The political debate reached a flash point when accusations were made.
   • Tensions in the region have reached a flash point.
   • The argument was a flash point for their long-standing rivalry.

   🇵🇹Ponto de ebulição