can of worms en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) A complex, troublesome situation, which produces (or whose resolution will produce) many problems.
Questioning the decision would definitely open a can of worms.
If someone gets a promotion that might not be deserved, it could open up a whole can of worms with the other employees.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see can, worm.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| cans of worms | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
hornets' nest · genie is out of the bottle
Synonyms
Pandora's box · tar baby · kettle of fish
Translations (19)
ja 困った事態 (a complex, troublesome situation) · ja ゴチャゴチャした状態 (a complex, troublesome situation) · hu darázsfészek (a complex, troublesome situation) · cmn 棘手的問題 /棘手的问题 (a complex, troublesome situation) · nv tʼóó chąąʼ (a complex, troublesome situation) · de Fass (a complex, troublesome situation) · es melón (a complex, troublesome situation) · mi unuhanga taniwha (a complex, troublesome situation) · fi soppa (a complex, troublesome situation) · de Fass ohne Boden (a complex, troublesome situation) · es avispero (a complex, troublesome situation) · pl puszka Pandory (a complex, troublesome situation) · fr sac de nœuds (a complex, troublesome situation) · ru весёленькая исто́рия (a complex, troublesome situation) · es caja de los truenos (a complex, troublesome situation) · ru клубо́к пробле́м (a complex, troublesome situation) · it aprire il vaso di Pandora (a complex, troublesome situation) · de Wespennest (a complex, troublesome situation) · cy tuniad o gynrhon (a complex, troublesome situation)