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.
(..) Go ahead and sleep on the power couch. Your training begins tomorrow. At the crack of noon! Um-- " It could have been disaster " " Till the pupil found his master " " Something rhymes with master " " He's teaching him in the ways of rock " Lesson number one. (..)2006 Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny