mine ‧ field /ˈmaɪnfiːld/ BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable] an area where a lot of bombs have been hidden just below the ground or under water:
They realized they had wandered into a minefield.
2 . [singular] a situation in which there are a lot of dangers and difficulties, and it is difficult to make the right decision:
Choosing the right school can be a bit of a minefield.
minefield of
The new Administration has to pick its way through the minefield of legislation.
legal/financial/political etc minefield
The legalisation of cannabis is a political minefield.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ be (a bit of a) minefield
Dating can be a bit of a minefield.
▪ pick your way through a minefield ( also navigate/negotiate a minefield ) (=behave in a careful way to avoid problems in a difficult situation)
The guide helps you pick your way through the minefield of buying a new car.
▪ lead/guide somebody through the minefield of something (=help someone avoid problems)
Talk to a financial advisor, who can guide you through the minefield of stocks and shares.
■ adjectives
▪ a political minefield
Challenging the system would be to enter a political minefield.
▪ a legal minefield
the legal minefield of buying a house overseas
▪ an ethical minefield
The issue of animal testing is an ethical minefield.