What does open a can of worms mean?

Definition of open a can of worms

: to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn't want to open a can of worms.

Where does the phrase open up a can of worms come from?

The origin of this phrase may come from fishing. The reason is because people often buy and open cans of worms to use as bait during this activity. Indeed, bait is a big part of fishing; it helps to lure the fish in. Besides worms, there are other types of bait that are used.

What does the term opening a can of worms mean?

phrase. If you say that someone is opening a can of worms, you are warning them that they are planning to do or talk about something that is much more complicated, unpleasant, or difficult than they realize and that might be better left alone.

Can of Worms relationship?

To open a can of worms is to attempt to solve a problem only to inadvertently complicate it and create even more trouble. The metaphor refers to fishing – the tendency of live bait to wriggle loose from any open container, creating a messy issue for the angler.

How do you open a can of worms in a sentence?

Sentence examples

— When Sarah decided to look at her boyfriend's iPhone she opened a can of worms. — When I discovered white powder in my daughter's bathroom I thought I'd found a can of worms but fortunately it was only translucent face powder.

Open a Can of Worms Idiom Meaning | Origin

Can of Worms idioms?

COMMON A can of worms is a situation or subject that is very complicated, difficult or unpleasant to deal with or discuss.

Can of Worms similar idioms?

Find another word for can of worms. In this page you can discover 26 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for can of worms, like: hard-nut-to-crack, pandora-s-box, complexity, dog-s-breakfast, gordian-knot, complication, difficult situation, headache, hornet's nest, hot water and mare-s-nest.

Can of Worms vs Pandora's box?

What's the difference between Pandora's box and a can of worms? In Greek myth, the contents of the fateful box belonging to Pandora (literally, “all gifts” in ancient Greek) were a mystery. With a can of worms, on the other hand, you know the kind of tangled, unpleasant mess you're in for.

What does it mean when someone says you opened Pandora's Box?

Definition of open a Pandora's box

: to cause many troubles and problems Her parents are understandably afraid of opening a Pandora's box if they buy her a car.

What is the metaphor of Pandora's box?

A "Pandora's box" is a metaphor in our modern languages, and the proverbial phrase refers to a source of endless complications or trouble arising from a single, simple miscalculation.

What is the moral of Pandora's box?

The moral of Pandora's Box is that unchecked curiosity and disobedience can be dangerous, but hope remains.

What is kettle of fish means?

Definition of kettle of fish

1 : a bad state of affairs : mess. 2 : something to be considered or dealt with : matter a different kettle of fish.

Can of Worms meaning synonyms?

synonyms for can of worms

Gordian knot. complex problem. complexity. complication. difficult situation.

What does see the wood for the trees mean?

British. : to not understand or appreciate a larger situation, problem, etc., because one is considering only a few parts of it.

Can of beans meaning?

If you open a can of worms, you do something that will cause a lot of problems and is, on balance, probably going to cause more trouble than it's worth. exact (5) You wouldn't trust them to open a can of beans with a fool-proof industrial can opener, such was their look of total thickness. 1.

What does it mean when the cows come home?

If you say that you could do something until the cows come home, you mean that you could do it for a very long time. You could argue till the cows come home about whether we were right to take action.

Where did the whole ball of wax come from?

Definition of whole ball of wax, the

Not all the allusions in these slangy terms are clear. Ball of wax may refer to a 17th-century English legal practice whereby land was divided among heirs by covering scraps of paper representing portions of land with wax, rolling each into a ball, and drawing the balls from a hat.

How do you use can of worms?

What does a card up my sleeve mean?

A hidden or secret advantage or resource, as in Before we make a decision, let's see if management has another card up its sleeve, or You can count on John to have an ace up his sleeve. The practice of storing something in one's sleeve dates from the 16th century, when clothes rarely had pockets.

What does it mean to be green around the gills?

Also, green around the gills. Looking ill or nauseated, as in After that bumpy ride she looked quite green about the gills. The use of green to describe an ailing person's complexion dates from about 1300, and gills has referred to the flesh around human jaws and ears since the 1600s.

What is the meaning of an AXE to grind?

A selfish aim or motive, as in The article criticized the new software, but the author had an ax to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son. This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner, published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his ax.

Do not give two hoots meaning?

Definition of give a hoot

informal. : to care at all about someone or something —used in negative statements I don't give a hoot about what they say. I don't give two hoots about his problems.

What does the idiom bring to book mean?

Call to account, investigate. For example, He was acquitted, but one day soon he'll be brought to book, or As for your records, the IRS is sure to bring you to book concerning your tax deductions. This term uses book in the sense of “a written record,” such as an account book or ledger. [ c. 1800]

What does Pandora symbolize?

The gods gave her many traits including beauty, curiosity, charm, and cleverness. Hence her name “Pandora,” meaning “all gifted” or, alternately, “a gift to all.”

What was the last thing that came out of Pandora box?

All of life's miseries had been let out into the world. Pandora slammed the lid of the box back down. The last thing remaining inside of the box was hope. Ever since, humans have been able to hold onto this hope in order to survive the wickedness that Pandora had let out.