An explosive situation is a dangerous and volatile situation that can quickly escalate into a crisis. It is often compared to a tinderbox or powderkeg, both of which are nine-letter terms used to describe a situation that is ready to ignite. A tinderbox is a box filled with combustible material, such as dry grass or paper, that can easily be set alight. A powderkeg is a barrel filled with gunpowder that is ready to explode. Both terms are used to describe a situation that is on the brink of disaster.