1.
land mine
An explosive device buried underground that detonates when stepped on or triggered, used as a weapon in warfare.
2.
hidden danger; something that triggers a bad reaction; a "minefield"
Figurative use, especially common online and in casual speech.
Originally a military term for explosive devices buried underground. In modern Japanese, especially in casual conversation and online, it is widely used figuratively to mean a hidden danger or a sensitive topic that triggers a negative reaction when touched upon.
Common collocations
Usage
In slang, 地雷 can also describe a person, product, or situation that looks fine on the surface but turns out to be problematic. The expression 地雷を踏む (to step on a mine) is the most common figurative usage, meaning to accidentally say or do something that upsets someone.