| 词组 | open a can of worms |
| 释义 | Idiom open a (new) can of worms Theme: DIFFICULTY to uncover a set of problems; to create unnecessary complications. (Informal. Can of worms means "mess.")Now you are opening a can of worms!How about cleaning up this mess before you open up a new can of worms? Idiom open a can of wormsopen (up) a can of worms to create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant.The investigation into how these expensive trips were paid for certainly opened a can of worms. Usage notes: sometimes used without open up: I don't think her plan will work — it seems like kind of a can of worms to me. open (up) a can of wormsTo 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 wormsdiscover 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. |
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