An accident/a disaster waiting to happen
phrase
A situation that is very likely to cause trouble, harm, or damage.
That old, broken bridge is an accident waiting to happen.
Often appears as...
- a situation is an accident waiting to happen
- a person is a disaster waiting to happen
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
A person who behaves in a way that is likely to cause problems or dangers.
John drives so recklessly, he's an accident waiting to happen.
Often appears as...
- john is an accident waiting to happen
- a drunk driver is a disaster waiting to happen
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
A situation that is very likely to cause trouble, harm, or damage.
That old, broken bridge is an accident waiting to happen.
Often appears as...
- a situation is an accident waiting to happen
- a person is a disaster waiting to happen
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
A person who behaves in a way that is likely to cause problems or dangers.
John drives so recklessly, he's an accident waiting to happen.
Often appears as...
- john is an accident waiting to happen
- a drunk driver is a disaster waiting to happen
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for words that suggest danger or poor condition to understand when this phrase fits.
With its frayed wires, that old heater is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase often describes potential issues, not just immediate or obvious ones.
Ignoring those warning signs is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Sense
Can describe prone to failure, not just physical harm or disaster.
Unsupervised, those kids’ party is a disaster waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for words that suggest danger or poor condition to understand when this phrase fits.
With its frayed wires, that old heater is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase often describes potential issues, not just immediate or obvious ones.
Ignoring those warning signs is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Sense
Can describe prone to failure, not just physical harm or disaster.
Unsupervised, those kids’ party is a disaster waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for words that suggest danger or poor condition to understand when this phrase fits.
With its frayed wires, that old heater is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase often describes potential issues, not just immediate or obvious ones.
Ignoring those warning signs is an accident waiting to happen.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Sense
Can describe prone to failure, not just physical harm or disaster.
Unsupervised, those kids’ party is a disaster waiting to happen.
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