a can of worms
/ə kæn əv wɜːrms/A situation that is complicated and leads to many new problems when you try to deal with it.
When we tried to update the software, we opened a real can of worms.
The software update led to many unexpected and complicated issues.
Fixing the plumbing turned into a can of worms.
The plumbing repair revealed many more problems than expected.
This idiom is often used to describe situations where solving one problem leads to discovering many more.
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💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use this idiom when you want to describe a situation that becomes more complicated than expected, often leading to many new problems.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Rule
This idiom is best used in informal contexts, such as conversations or casual writing. Avoid using it in formal or academic writing.
📖Word Origin
The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it likely comes from the idea that opening a can of worms (which are alive and wriggling) would create a messy and complicated situation.
📝Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe situations that become more complicated than expected. It is often used in business, technology, and everyday life.