Know Your English - What is the meaning of tinderbox situation? When you describe someones house as being a tinderbox, you are suggesting that if it were to catch fire, it would burn down very quickly. With the passage of time, the word acquired a figurative meaning; it began to be applied to situations.

What is in a tinderbox?

A tinderbox, or patch box, is a container made of wood or metal containing flint, firesteel, and tinder (typically charcloth, but possibly a small quantity of dry, finely divided fibrous matter such as hemp), used together to help kindle a fire. A tinderbox might also contain sulfur-tipped matches.

Where did the word tinderbox come from?

tinderbox (n.) also tinder-box, box in which tinder and flint are kept, 1520s, from tinder + box (n.); figurative sense of inflammable person or thing is attested from 1590s.

What prolongation means?

transitive verb. 1 : to lengthen in time : continue. 2 : to lengthen in extent, scope, or range.

What is a tinder keg?

a situation or a place that could easily become extremely dangerous: The build-up of forces in the region is creating a powder keg.

What is a tinder fire?

Tinder is easily combustible material used to start a fire. Tinder is a finely divided, open material which will begin to glow under a shower of sparks. The flaming tinder is used to ignite kindling, which in turn is used to ignite the bulk material, to produce a fire.

What is a draw out?

transitive verb. 1 : remove, extract. 2 : to extend beyond a minimum in time : protract sense 1. 3 : to cause to speak freely a reporters ability to draw a person out.

What is tinder kindling and fuel?

To burn a successful fire, youll need three types fuel: tinder, kindling and firewood. Tinder includes small twigs, dry leaves, needles or forest duff. Kindling consists of small sticks, typically less than one inch around. Firewood is any larger piece of wood and is what will keep your fire going long into the night.

What is draw or pull out?

to bring, take, or pull out, as from a receptacle or source: to draw water from a well. to bring toward oneself or itself, as by inherent force or influence; attract: The concert drew a large audience.

What words mean to draw out?

Synonyms & Antonyms of draw outdrag (out),elongate,extend,lengthen,outstretch,prolong,protract,stretch.