exploding contract
n.— «Hurried interviews held in secret locations across London ended with the Americans issuing everyone with an “exploding contract”—an ultimatum to decide by last Sunday night.» —“Gung-ho Citigoof gets its hiring in a twist” by Louise Armitstead Times (London, England) June 12, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
A mangle is an old device for squeezing water from laundry. In 19th-century England, this word figured in the discourteous catchphrase Has your mother sold her mangle? The question implies that the person addressed has to make ends meet by selling...
In 1916, a small-town newspaper in Pennsylvania printed a fanciful item about a local gathering with a guest list that included, among others, Miss Ella Vader, Mr. Ray Zor, and other punny names. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...