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Meanings of time bomb in English

A problematic situation that will eventually become dangerous if not addressed.

A bomb that has a detonating mechanism that can be set to go off at a particular time.

Synonyms
Examples for "infernal machine"
Examples for "infernal machine"
1
The next morning I went out to look for the infernal machine.
Memoirs of Sir Wemyss Reid 1842-1885
2
Dad smashed the infernal machine, and then went to look for Joe.
On Our Selection
3
The box containing the infernal machine lies on the table there.
The Gates of Chance
4
But the infernal machine was the thing to think of now.
The Beasts of Tarzan
5
Had the infernal machine exploded in midair Tom would not have been surprised.
Tom Swift and His Electric Locomotive; Or, Two Miles a Minute on...
Usage of time bomb in English
1
Photo: RNZ Chris Hipkins said the area is a ticking time bomb.
Radio NZ
2
Is the continent sitting on a ticking time bomb of youth unemployment?
The Guardian
3
Having an aneurysm doesn't mean that you are a ticking time bomb.
BBC
4
We are sitting on a time bomb here, says Sr Lydia Pardeller.
The Irish Times
5
I'm telling you, the whole of Harlem is a ticking time bomb.
New york: the novel
6
I think the planet is a time bomb; Mike thinks that's nonsense.
A Case of Conscience
7
You had a time bomb in your head, but we defused it.
The illuminatus! trilogy
8
Two tired brains, working against the ticking time bomb of her infection.
Gravity
9
But buried in the data is a potential time bomb: rising grocery prices.
News.com.au
10
Japan has long been the perilous pathfinder in the demographic time bomb debate.
Independent.ie
11
Katka Tesarovea leads youngest group with songs and games.Game with time bomb toy.
Radio NZ
12
Youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb, we need to attend to it.
The South African
13
Even when she knew he'd had a hand in settin' that time bomb?
Boy’s Life
14
People are losing their patience as every day passes, becoming a time bomb.
The Guardian
15
But there's a ticking time bomb inside the outwardly strong alliance.
Wired
16
The restaurant had been cleared by the time bomb went off.
The Irish Times