ticking bomb

• Situação ou problema que provavelmente se tornará perigoso ou catastrófico em breve se não for resolvido. Também usado no sentido literal para designar um artefato explosivo programado para detonar em determinado momento.

A situation or problem that is likely to become dangerous or disastrous in the near future if not addressed. Also used literally to refer to an explosive device set to detonate at a specific time.

1. Literal explosive deviceB2formal

   A bomb that is set to explode at a specific time, often with an audible ticking sound.

   Bomba-relógio

   • The bomb squad was called to disarm the ticking bomb.
   • The movie begins with a ticking bomb in a crowded building.
   • They found a ticking bomb hidden in the basement.

2. Metaphorical dangerous situationB2informal

   A situation that is likely to become dangerous or problematic very soon.

   Situação perigosa metafórica

   • The company's financial problems are a ticking bomb.
   • The political tension in the region is a ticking bomb.
   • His anger issues are a ticking bomb waiting to explode.