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Can the German, leading strike in explosive situation? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tinderbox

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'explosive situation?' is the definition.
'tinderbox' can be an answer for 'situation?' (I have seen 'Volatile situation ' mean 'tinderbox' so perhaps 'situation' could also mean 'tinderbox'). I'm unsure of the 'explosive' bit.

'can the german leading strike' is the wordplay.
'can' becomes 'tin' ('tin' can be a synonym of 'can').
'the german' becomes 'der' ('the' in German).
'leading' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'strike' becomes 'box'.
'tin'+'der'+'box'='TINDERBOX'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tinderbox that I've seen before include "explosive type?" , "Volatile situation" , "Situation that is a potential source of violence" , "Touchy or explosive person or thing" , "Old container for fire-lighting equipment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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