can of worms

IPA/kan ɒv wˈɜːmz/
IPA/kæn ʌv wˈɜːmz/

can of worms — 慣用語

1. a subject or task that seems simple but, once you begin it, leads to many new an

1.慣用語B2
釋義

麻煩的根源

一旦著手就會引出一連串棘手問題的事

a subject or task that seems simple but, once you begin it, leads to many new and difficult problems that are hard to stop.

例句

Asking about the missing money opened a real can of worms at the office.

詢問那筆不見的錢，在辦公室裡引出了一堆麻煩。

open a can of worms (the most common pattern)

Paloma warned that changing the old rules would be a can of worms.

Paloma 警告說，更改舊規定會是個大麻煩的開端。

be a can of worms (subject complement)

常見搭配
  • open a can of worms
  • a whole can of worms
  • a real can of worms
同義詞
  • Pandora's box

    also means starting something that releases many troubles, but sounds more literary and dramatic

  • minefield

    stresses hidden dangers you must move through carefully, rather than problems that multiply

文法句型

open a can of worms

be a can of worms

用法筆記

Almost always the object of the verb 'open' — to 'open a can of worms' is to start something that releases many fresh problems. Once opened, the problems are hard to close again, so speakers use it as a warning against starting something messy.

常見錯誤

This decision will open a box of worms.
This decision will open a can of worms.
the fixed phrase uses 'can', not 'box'; mixing it with 'Pandora's box' breaks the idiom.