can of worms, it's a/like opening a

can of worms

A situation that, once started, is likely to become problematic or have a negative outcome. Getting involved in the minor border conflict has become a can of worms for the country, with no end to the military engagement in sight. You can try reformatting your computer, but once you open that can of worms, you'll probably be working on it for days.

See also: can, of, Worms

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*can of worms

Fig. a very difficult issue or set of problems; an array of difficulties. (*Typically: be ~; Open ~.) This political scandal is a real can of worms. Let's not open that can of worms!

See also: can, of, Worms

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

can of worms

A complex unexpected problem or unsolvable dilemma, as in Tackling the budget cuts is sure to open a can of worms. This expression alludes to a container of bait used for fishing, which when opened reveals an inextricable tangle of worms. [1920s]

See also: can, of, Worms

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

can of worms

n. an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties. (Often with open.) When you brought that up, you opened a whole new can of worms.

See also: can, of, Worms

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

can of worms

A complex or difficult problem.

See also: can, of, Worms

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

can of worms, it's a/like opening a

Introducing a complicated problem or unsolvable dilemma. The metaphor alludes to the live bait of fishermen. In a jar or other container, they form an inextricable tangle, wriggling and entwining themselves with one another. The term is American in origin, dating from the mid-twentieth century.

词组	can of worms, it's a/like opening a
释义	can of worms, it's a/like opening a can of worms A situation that, once started, is likely to become problematic or have a negative outcome. Getting involved in the minor border conflict has become a can of worms for the country, with no end to the military engagement in sight. You can try reformatting your computer, but once you open that can of worms, you'll probably be working on it for days. See also: can, of, Worms Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. can of worms Fig.* a very difficult issue or set of problems; an array of difficulties. (Typically: be ~; Open ~.) This political scandal is a real can of worms. Let's not open that can of worms! See also: can, of, Worms McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. can of worms A complex unexpected problem or unsolvable dilemma, as in Tackling the budget cuts is sure to open a can of worms. This expression alludes to a container of bait used for fishing, which when opened reveals an inextricable tangle of worms. [1920s] See also: can, of, Worms The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. can of worms n. an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties. (Often with open.) When you brought that up, you opened a whole new can of worms. See also: can, of, Worms McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions can of worms A complex or difficult problem. See also: can, of, Worms American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. can of worms, it's a/like opening a Introducing a complicated problem or unsolvable dilemma. The metaphor alludes to the live bait of fishermen. In a jar or other container, they form an inextricable tangle, wriggling and entwining themselves with one another. The term is American in origin, dating from the mid-twentieth century. See also: can, like, of, opening The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer See also:* a can of worms can of worms get into a mess addict addict (one) to (something) addict to get itchy fingers itchy fingers get someone's back up have back up
随便看	short but sweet short-change (one) shortcut short end of the stick short end of the stick, the short end of the stick, to get/have the short for short for (something) short fuse short hairs short haul short leash short measure short notice, on short of short of a length short of (something) short of something/of doing something short one short on looks short on one end short on (something) (and long on something else) short order short out short reckonings make long friends