Opponents say the government's policy is 'a disaster waiting to happen'. [=something that will probably have a very bad or tragic result]
The government's policy is 'a recipe for disaster'. = The government is 'flirting with disaster' by pursuing this policy.
The earthquake was one of the worst 'natural disasters' [=a disaster caused by natural forces] of this century.
(..) Sheldon, let it go! No, I want to talk about the fact that Wolowitz shot me in the ck. I shot you for good reason. You were leading us into disaster. I was giving clear, concise orders. You hid behind a tree yelling, "Get the kid in the yarmulke! Get the kid in the yarmulke!" Oh, hey, guys. (..)2007 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Middle Earth Paradigm Season: 1 Episode 6