How to Pronounce "sitting on a powder keg"
expression
SIT-ing on uh POW-der keg
SIT-ing on a POW-duh keg
Definition
To be in a situation that is very dangerous or tense, where a problem could explode at any moment.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈsɪtɪŋ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpaʊdɝ/ /ˈkɛɡ
British English
sˈɪtɪŋ/ /ˈɒn/ /æɪ/ /pˈaʊdɐ/ /kˈɛɡ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
SIT-ing on uh POW-der keg
UK
SIT-ing on a POW-duh keg
Listen in Context
After the argument, it felt like everyone was sitting on a powder keg.
The political situation is like sitting on a powder keg right now.
Living in such an unsafe neighborhood can feel like sitting on a powder keg.
We're sitting on a powder keg at work; one more mistake and everything could blow up.