powder keg

noun

: a small usually metal cask for holding gunpowder or blasting powder

: something liable to explode

Examples of powder keg in a Sentence

Political instability has made the region a powder keg. the immigration bill has become a political powder keg for legislators on both sides of the aisle

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

There’s that earworm refrain, followed by formidably declarative verses, a powder keg of a chorus and a high-concept bridge. —

Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024 For most of its run time, Never Let Go slinks along slowly, but its final act explodes like a powder keg. —

Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024 Onstage, Idles felt like a powder keg ready to blow, turning a Queens audience into socially conscious soccer hooligans for the night. —

William Earl, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024 Sig unbuckled his seat belt, because the stiff nylon was adding pressure to a chest that already felt like a powder keg. —

Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for powder keg