一触即发 On the verge of breaking out
Explanation
“一触即发”这个成语的意思是，形容事情已经发展到十分紧张的阶段，稍微碰触一下就会立即爆发。它就像弓箭已经拉满了，只要轻轻一触碰，箭就会立刻飞出去。
The idiom “一触即发” means that things have already reached a very tense stage and can erupt at the slightest touch. It's like a bow that's already drawn, and the arrow will fly out immediately with the slightest touch.
Origin Story
在一个炎热的夏日，两支军队在山谷中对峙。双方都严阵以待，气氛紧张得让人窒息。山谷里静得连树叶的沙沙声都听得见，士兵们手中紧握着武器，随时准备投入战斗。突然，一阵风吹过，树枝轻轻晃动，一些枯叶落到了地上。一位士兵误以为是敌军来袭，慌忙举起弓箭，朝着树枝方向射出一箭。这一箭打破了山谷的宁静，也点燃了战争的导火索。两军士兵齐声呐喊，箭如雨下，刀光剑影，战斗瞬间爆发。
On a hot summer day, two armies were facing each other in a valley. Both sides were prepared, the atmosphere was so tense that it was suffocating. The valley was so quiet that you could hear the rustle of leaves, the soldiers held their weapons tightly in their hands, ready to fight at any time. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, the branches swayed slightly, and some dead leaves fell to the ground. A soldier mistakenly thought that the enemy was attacking, hurriedly raised his bow and arrow, and shot an arrow towards the branches. This arrow broke the silence of the valley and also ignited the fuse of war. The soldiers of both armies shouted in unison, arrows rained down, swords clashed, and the battle broke out instantly.
Usage
“一触即发”常用于形容局势紧张、随时可能爆发冲突或战争等。例如：
“一触即发” is often used to describe a tense situation where conflict or war could break out at any time. For example:
Examples
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战争一触即发，双方都在紧张地备战。
zhan zheng yi chu ji fa, shuang fang dou zai jin zhang de bei zhan.
The war is about to break out, both sides are preparing nervously.
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谈判破裂，局势一触即发，随时可能爆发冲突。
tan pan po lie, ju shi yi chu ji fa, sui shi ke neng bao fa chong tu.
Negotiations have broken down, the situation is tense and could erupt at any time.
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学生们的情绪一触即发，准备迎接一场考试。
xue sheng men de qing xu yi chu ji fa, zhun bei ying jie yi chang kao shi.
The students are on edge, ready for a test.
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局势一触即发，需要冷静思考和妥善处理。
ju shi yi chu ji fa, xu yao leng jing si kao he tuo shan chu li.
The situation is tense, it needs calm thinking and proper handling.
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两国关系一触即发，需要双方克制和沟通。
liang guo guan xi yi chu ji fa, xu yao shuang fang ke zhi he gou tong.
Relations between the two countries are tense, both sides need restraint and communication.
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项目进度已经一触即发，必须加紧努力才能完成。
xiang mu jin du yi jing yi chu ji fa, bi xu jia jin nu li cai neng wan cheng.
Project progress is in motion, extra effort must be made to complete it.
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争吵一触即发，需要及时化解矛盾，避免升级。
zheng chao yi chu ji fa, xu yao ji shi hua jie mao dun, bi mian sheng ji.
The argument is about to escalate, it needs to resolve conflicts in time to avoid escalation.