a Pandora's box

/ə ˈpæn.dɔː.rəz ˈbɒks/◆idiom

a situation that seems simple but causes many problems

Opening the old storage unit turned out to be a Pandora's box of legal issues.

The situation revealed many unexpected and complicated legal problems.

◆ What It Really Means

A situation that appears simple but leads to many complicated or troublesome problems.

¶ Literal Meaning

A box belonging to Pandora, a figure from Greek mythology.

Literal Breakdown

Pandoraa woman in Greek mythology+boxa container+aan indefinite article

◇ Mental Image

The image of a box that, when opened, releases many troubles or problems into the world.

◈ When to Use

A team leader might say, 'We thought the software update would be quick, but it turned into a Pandora's box of bugs and compatibility issues.'

◉ Cultural Note

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman created by the gods. She was given a jar (often mistranslated as a box) containing all the evils of humanity. When she opened it, these evils were released into the world, leaving only hope inside. The phrase is used to describe situations where addressing one problem leads to many more.

informal

A situation that appears simple or harmless but actually leads to many complicated or troublesome problems.

The project seemed straightforward, but it became a Pandora's box of technical challenges.

The project appeared simple at first, but it revealed many unexpected technical difficulties.

Investigating the company's finances was like opening a Pandora's box.

Examining the company's finances uncovered many hidden and problematic issues.

This phrase is often used to describe situations where addressing one problem reveals many more.

Collocations

open a Pandora's boxto reveal many unexpected problemsa Pandora's box ofa source of many unexpected problems

Synonyms

a can of worms a hornet's nest a minefield a quagmire

Antonyms

a simple solution a straightforward task a smooth process

Related Phrases

can of wormsidiom

a complicated situation that is difficult to resolve

hornet's nestidiom

a situation that is likely to cause trouble or conflict

Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that a seemingly simple situation has led to many unexpected problems.

Gold Rule

Rule of Thumb

Use 'a Pandora's box' to describe situations where addressing one problem reveals many more, often more serious, issues.

Word Origin

From Greek mythology, where Pandora's box (or jar) contained all the evils of humanity, which were released into the world when it was opened.

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in both formal and informal contexts to describe situations where addressing one issue leads to many more.

Word Breakdown

Pandora

a figure from Greek mythology

proper noun

box

a container, in this case, a metaphorical one

noun

an indefinite article

determiner

English Dictionary

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