Powder keg.的意思
"Powder keg" is an idiom with a few different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some common interpretations:
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A Situation That Is Highly Explosive or Volatile: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a situation that is tense and could easily escalate into violence, conflict, or disaster. For example, "The city was a powder keg after months of political unrest."
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A Source of Great Energy or Potential: In a more positive sense, "powder keg" can refer to something that has a lot of potential for growth or change, often with the implication that it could go in either a positive or negative direction. For instance, "The new technology is a powder keg that could revolutionize the industry."
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A Large Amount of Something Concentrated in One Place: This meaning is more literal and refers to a large quantity of something, especially a resource or material, that is stored or concentrated in one location. For example, "The warehouse is a powder keg of chemicals waiting to explode."
The origin of the phrase comes from the literal meaning of a powder keg, which is a container of gunpowder, a highly explosive material. If a powder keg were to explode, it could cause a massive explosion and fire. Therefore, the phrase is used metaphorically to describe situations that are similarly dangerous or have the potential for significant impact.