powder keg

pow·der keg

P p

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [pou-der keg]
- /ˈpaʊ dər kɛg/
- /ˈpaʊdə(r) keɡ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [pou-der keg]
- /ˈpaʊ dər kɛg/

Definitions of powder keg words

noun powder keg a small, metal, barrellike container for gunpowder or blasting powder. 1
noun powder keg a potentially dangerous situation, especially one involving violent repercussions. 1
noun powder keg gunpowder barrel 1
noun powder keg potentially explosive situation 1
countable noun powder keg If you describe a situation or a place as a powder keg, you mean that it could easily become very dangerous. 0
noun powder keg a small barrel used to hold gunpowder 0

See all 9 definitions of powder keg

Information block about the term

Origin of powder keg

First appearance:

before 1850

One of the 32% newest English words

First recorded in 1850-55

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Powder keg

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Powder keg

powder keg popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 39% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 51% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

powder keg usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for powder keg

noun powder keg

hot seat — electric chair.
infernal machine — a concealed or disguised explosive device intended to destroy life or property.
loose cannon — a person whose reckless behavior endangers the efforts or welfare of others.

All 3 Synonyms of powder keg