rabbit hole

rabbit hole

A situation, journey, or process that is particularly strange, problematic, difficult, complex, or chaotic, especially one that becomes increasingly so as it develops or unfolds. An allusion to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, it is used especially in the phrase "(go) down the rabbit hole." Overhauling the current tax legislation is a rabbit hole I don't think this administration should go down at this point. I've stayed away from drugs and alcohol since coming to college. I have an addictive personality, so I decided to just avoid that rabbit hole altogether.
See also: hole, rabbit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • go down the rabbit hole
  • a long row to hoe
  • a tough row to hoe
  • tough row to hoe
  • a hard row to hoe
  • hoe
  • pull the carpet (out) from under (one's) feet
  • pull the carpet/rug out from under somebody's feet
  • land up in (something)
  • be in a cleft stick
References in periodicals archive
This is familiar territory, movingly explored countless times before, though "Rabbit Hole" is refreshingly light on the loss itself.
'Rabbit' turns ear to nuances of loss
A VERY IMPORTANT DATE: Rupert Hedley, Tara Behan and Sophie Karvounis appear in Through the Rabbit Hole, an interactive installation for children to explore in at the Herbert Art Gallery.
Anyone for tea with the Mad Hatter?
Rabbit Hole was first shown at the Zayed University Film Festival earlier this year and received much interest from the young viewers, said Shahin Yazdani, the documentary's producer.
A compelling view of Emirati youth
"They went in to a rabbit hole and that was the last he saw of them," said Chris Royal, watch manager at Hebburn Fire Station.
Search on for missing dogs
FIREFIGHTERS excavated part of a graveyard yesterday to try to rescue a terrier dog which disappeared down a rabbit hole.
WALES: Graveyard dig for dog
He could live on Easter Island or down a rabbit hole in the back garden of a little girl called Alice, which reminds me, what do you get if you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?
The Diary
Slipping down the rabbit hole of Paris, mother and son end their romance with each other and take new lovers.
The Way I Found Her
Byline: WATTS the GOSS Halina Watts down the showbiz rabbit hole
The Only Way is Paris
The 10th Doune the Rabbit Hole festival will take place on Stirlingshire's Cardross Estate over the weekend of July 18 to 21.
Doune the Rabbit Hole tickets are up for grabs
Independent, family-friendly festival Doune the Rabbit Hole has announced an eclectic lineup for its 10th birthday this summer.
Get ready to go Doune the Rabbit Hole for its 10th fest
Music debuted “Hearts and Minds,” the first single from Lotus Crush's upcoming album Rabbit Hole. The track, which will be released commercially in January 2015, puts the band's electrifying blend of melodic hard-edged rock front and center.
Yahoo! Music Debuts First Single "Hearts and Minds" from Lotus Crush's Upcoming New Album Rabbit Hole
FITCHBURG - The Rabbit Hole, a used bookstore which has hosted hundreds of music shows and book readings in its three years in existence, is slated to close sometime this month.
Fitchburg bookstore closing its doors
STEP through the looking glass, tumble down the rabbit hole and enter a world that is Curiouser and Curiouser at Tate Liverpool tomorrow.
Down the rabbit hole with Alice at Tate
OSCAR-WINNER Nicole Kidman has been playing on her fears in new movie Rabbit Hole.
LIVING IN FEAR; Nicole goes to her most terrifying place for new film: Cinema
Adapted from his own Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole digs away at the relationship between Howie (Aaron Eckhart) and Becca (Kidman) in the months following the death of their son.
Kidman forced on journey that all parents fear most Birmingham Mail