0 a bomb containing a device that makes it explode at a particular time -- 定时炸弹
1 a situation that is likely to become difficult to deal with or control -- 潜在危险;隐患
By ignoring the wishes of their employees, the managers are setting/creating a time bomb for themselves. 忽视了雇员的愿望,管理人员等于是在给自己埋下/制造一颗定时炸弹。
The prison governors are sitting on a time bomb (= are having to deal with a bad situation that is likely to become difficult to deal with or control). 监狱长们如同正坐在定时炸弹上。