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can of worms love

can of worms

Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun idiomatic A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.
  • noun idiomatic A troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a source of unpredictable trouble and complexity

Etymologies

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Examples

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synonyms (1)

Words with the same meaning

  1. kettle of fish

hypernyms (2)

Words that are more generic or abstract

  1. problem
  2. trouble

Comments

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  • oroboros commented on the word can of worms

    A most unpleasant situation. I first saw this phrase (complete with an actual can of wiggly worms) in a "Little Lulu" cartoon strip.

    February 8, 2007