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powder keg

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

  1. A barrel containing gunpowder.
  2. An explosive or otherwise volatile situation.
    figuratively

Equivalents

Españolpolvorín
Françaispoudrière
DeutschPulverfass
10 more languages

Examples

“powder keg of Europe (term describing the unstable state of the Balkans before World War I)”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

powder magazine powder metallurgy powder mill powder mine powder monkey powder of sympathy

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