open (up) a can of worms

To initiate, instigate, or reveal a situation that is or is likely to become very complicated or problematic or that will have a negative outcome. I worry that trying to tweak the existing system could open up a can of worms that we're not anticipating. The candidate opened a can of worms when he made those inflammatory comments. Now the entire election has been dominated by the topic.

open up a can of worms

discover or bring to light a complicated matter likely to prove awkward or embarrassing. informal

1998 New Scientist UN officials readily accept that they have opened a can of worms, and their guidelines will only have an effect, they say, if governments act on them.

词组	open (up) a can of worms
释义	open (up) a can of worms open (up) a can of worms To initiate, instigate, or reveal a situation that is or is likely to become very complicated or problematic or that will have a negative outcome. I worry that trying to tweak the existing system could open up a can of worms that we're not anticipating. The candidate opened a can of worms when he made those inflammatory comments. Now the entire election has been dominated by the topic. See also: can, of, open, Worms Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. open up a can of worms discover or bring to light a complicated matter likely to prove awkward or embarrassing. informal 1998 New Scientist UN officials readily accept that they have opened a can of worms, and their guidelines will only have an effect, they say, if governments act on them. See also: can, of, open, up, Worms Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: open up a can of worms strike up strike up a friendship move for move for (something) spring a trap spring a/the trap fan
随便看	come up tails come up through the ranks come up to come up to expectations come up to (one's) expectations come up to standards come up trumps come up with come up with/deliver/produce the goods come up with (something) come up with the goods come up with the rations come way come what may come with come within come within a hair of (someone or something) come within a hair's breadth of (someone or something) come within an ace of come within an ace of (something) come within an ace of something come within an inch of come within an inch of doing come within an inch of doing something come within an inch of (something)