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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Understand vivid expressions for anger and sudden change without labeling people as inherently dangerous.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode uses explosive imagery for sudden anger, tense situations, and rapid growth, then presents phrases such as “short fuse,” “blow up,” “ticking time bomb,” and “powder keg.” The same adjective can describe a loud laugh or fast business growth without suggesting violence. When speaking about a real person, neutral descriptions of observable behavior are often more accurate than broad labels.
Cultural note: The source uses dramatic metaphors for anger. They are not diagnoses or reliable predictions about someone’s future behavior. If there is a genuine safety concern, describe the specific behavior and seek appropriate support rather than relying on an idiom.
Keep exploringExplosive imagery can mean loud, rapid, tense, or dangerous. The noun it modifies—and the evidence around it—matters.
Phrase guide · 5 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Recognize strong reactions without turning them into a diagnosis.
Meaning
Become angry quickly or react strongly to small problems.
Tone & use
Informal and critical. It is a general impression, not a clinical label or proof that someone will be violent.
Example
“When the schedule changed, he seemed to have a short fuse, so we paused and clarified the plan.”
Meaning
Lose your temper suddenly; literally, it can also mean explode or become larger.
Tone & use
Informal. The figurative anger sense can sound harsh; “get very upset” is more neutral.
Example
“She did not blow up at the mistake; she asked how the team could prevent it next time.”
Describe a situation likely to become unstable or difficult.
Meaning
A tense situation that could quickly become dangerous or unstable.
Tone & use
Dramatic and often used in news or political discussion; do not use it to exaggerate a minor disagreement.
Example
“With negotiations stalled and protests growing, the region was described as a powder keg.”
Use explosive imagery for sudden sound or unusually fast growth.
Meaning
Begin with energy, excitement, or a strong effect.
Tone & use
Usually positive for events or performances; the word “bang” is figurative in this idiom.
Example
“The festival started with a bang when the school band opened the show.”
Meaning
A very rapid, unusually large increase.
Tone & use
Common in business and news. It describes speed or scale, not literal danger.
Example
“The small app saw explosive growth after a popular teacher recommended it.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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