third rail

US /ˌθɜːrd ˈreɪl/
UK /ˌθɜːrd ˈreɪl/
"third rail" picture
1.

derde rail, gevoelig onderwerp

a political issue that is so controversial that any politician who dares to broach the topic will suffer a backlash from voters

:
Healthcare reform has become a third rail issue in American politics.
Hervorming van de gezondheidszorg is een derde rail kwestie geworden in de Amerikaanse politiek.
No politician wants to touch the third rail of social security.
Geen enkele politicus wil de derde rail van sociale zekerheid aanraken.