tripwire
/ˈtrɪpˌwaɪər/
noun
- A wire or cord stretched close to the ground that triggers a trap or alarm when someone trips over it.
- The security system uses a tripwire that sounds an alarm when disturbed.
- They set up a tripwire around the campsite to alert them if any animals came near.
- The soldier carefully avoided the tripwire hidden in the grass.
- Something that causes an immediate reaction or response, often a negative one.
- The politician knew that raising taxes would be a tripwire for voters.
- For her, the word 'failure' was a tripwire that made her feel anxious.
- Any mention of the accident was a tripwire for his anger.