Can the German fight? This might flare up (9)
I believe the answer is:
tinderbox
'this might flare up' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'can the german fight?' is the wordplay.
'can' becomes 'tin' (both are metal containers).
'the german' becomes 'der' ('the' in German).
'fight?' becomes 'box' (boxing is a kind of fighting).
'tin'+'der'+'box'='TINDERBOX'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tinderbox that I've seen before include "explosive type?" , "Old container for fire-lighting equipment" , "Potentially explosive situation" , "Volatile person" , "Old lighter" .)