flash point

flash point

noun

: a point, place, or situation in which sudden anger or violence could happen

Full Definition of FLASH POINT

1

:  the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame

2

:  a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being

3

:  tinderbox 2

Examples of FLASH POINT

1. The city became a flash point as political tensions grew.
2. The situation reached a flash point when union leaders urged the workers to protest.

First Known Use of FLASH POINT

1878

Related to FLASH POINT

Synonyms

tinderbox, powder keg, time bomb, volcano

Related Words

hot button, third rail

Rhymes with FLASH POINT

adjoint, anoint, appoint, aroint, ballpoint, bluepoint, blue point, break point, butt joint, checkpoint, choke point, clip joint, conjoint, dew point, disjoint, drypoint, end point, fixed-point, game point, grade point, gunpoint, High Point, hinge joint, hip joint, ice point, juke joint, knifepoint, lap joint, match point, midpoint, near point, nonpoint, outpoint, pen point, pinpoint, pourpoint, price point, seal point, set point, standpoint, strongpoint, tuck-point, viewpoint, waypoint