The word "timebomb" refers to a dangerous situation or problem that may appear harmless at first, but has the potential to cause serious consequences or explode in the future.
Diabetes is a ticking timebomb for people and the health service. (politics.co.uk)
These foreign objects actually create a walking timebomb experience for the victims as they can die from this presence of material in their body without notice, be it weeks, months or years later. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Jenny Rollinson, managing director of Randstad Education, comments: «We have a ticking talent timebomb in our hands, and the flight of the baby - boomer generation from the teaching workforce could leave a gaping skills shortage in our midst. (qaeducation.co.uk)