time bomb
die Zeitbombe, die Zeitbomben
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time bomb
A dangerous situation or thing whose consequences initially remain hidden and may suddenly occur later.
Die hohe Verschuldung ist eine Zeitbombe für die gesamte Wirtschaft.
The high level of debt is a time bomb for the entire economy.
time bomb
A bomb set to explode after a certain amount of time.
Die Polizei entschärfte eine Zeitbombe in einem verlassenen Gebäude.
The police defused a time bomb in an abandoned building.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Zeitbomben |
| genitive | der Zeitbombe |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Zeitbombe | die Zeitbomben |
| accusative | die Zeitbombe | die Zeitbomben |
| dative | der Zeitbombe | den Zeitbomben |
| genitive | der Zeitbombe | der Zeitbomben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Zeitbombe' (time bomb) consists of 'Zeit' (time) and 'Bombe' (bomb). The component 'Zeit' (time) also helps explain the figurative use: The danger already exists, but its consequences only occur later.
Die Schäden an der alten Brücke sind eine Zeitbombe.
The damage to the old bridge is a time bomb.
The phrase 'eine tickende Zeitbombe' (a ticking time bomb) is commonly used to express increasing urgency. The expression 'auf einer Zeitbombe sitzen' (to be sitting on a time bomb) describes a dangerous situation faced by a person or group.
Die ungelösten Probleme im Unternehmen sind eine tickende Zeitbombe.
The unresolved problems in the company are a ticking time bomb.
Mit diesen hohen Schulden sitzen wir auf einer Zeitbombe.
With this much debt, we are sitting on a time bomb.
In reports about a bomb being found, 'eine Zeitbombe entdecken' (to discover a time bomb) and 'eine Zeitbombe entschärfen' (to defuse a time bomb) are typical collocations. 'Entschärfen' (to defuse) means making the bomb harmless.
Ein Spezialteam konnte die Zeitbombe rechtzeitig entschärfen.
A specialist team managed to defuse the time bomb in time.
