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.

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	have pins and needles have pity on have pity on (one) have/play/take/want no part in/of something have precedence over (someone or something) have pride of place have pull with have pull with (someone) have/put skin in the game have rathers have recourse to have recourse to (something) have regard to (something) have regard to something have relations with have rocks in head have rocks in (one's) head have rocks in one’s head have/run a temperature have scales fall from (one's) eyes have second thoughts have second thoughts about (someone or something) have seen better days have seen/known better days have seen (one's) day