warzone
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be a war zone
1. To be characterized by violence, lawlessness, or chaos. Likened to an area in which literal military combat takes place. That part of the city is a total war zone now due to all the gang violence. After the local government collapsed, what was left behind was a war zone of various political groups vying for control. Those poor refugees escaped the famine but now they're in a war zone—it's truly awful.
2. To be especially cluttered, disorderly, or chaotic. Your bedroom is a war zone. Now get in there and clean it up! I know my desk looks like a war zone, but I know exactly where everything is that I need. Can you help me organize the file cabinet? It's just a war zone right now and no one can find anything they're looking for.
war zone
1. Literally, an area in which military combat takes place. That region has been a war zone for the whole last year following the rebel uprising.
2. By extension, any place or area that is characterized by violence, lawlessness, or chaos. That part of the city has become so consumed by drugs and gang violence that it has turned into a total war zone. The local government has collapsed, leaving behind a war zone of various political groups vying for control.
3. Any area that is especially cluttered, disorderly, or chaotic. Your bedroom is a war zone. Now get in there and clean it up! I know my desk looks like a war zone, but I know exactly where everything is that I need.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
war zone
n. an area where things get rough; a tough neighborhood. Unfortunately our offices are in a war zone, and we have to be on the way home before dark.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.