on the brink; imminent; explosive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
imminent; on the verge of breaking out;一触即发
literaryOriginally describing a loaded weapon that would fire at the slightest touch; now used metaphorically for tense conflicts, crises, or wars that could erupt at any moment. Often used as a predicate or attributive.
Liǎng两
guó国
biān边
jìng境
chōng冲
tū突
yī一
chù触
jí即
fā发
。
Conflict was imminent on the border between the two countries.
Huì会
yì议
shì室
lǐ里
de的
qì气
fēn氛
jǐn紧
zhāng张
，
zhēng争
chǎo吵
yī一
chù触
jí即
fā发
。
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense, and an argument was about to break out at any moment.
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Gǔ股
shì市
dòng动
dàng荡
，
jīn金
róng融
wēi危
jī机
yī一
chù触
jí即
fā发
。
With the stock market in turmoil, a financial crisis was imminent.