can of worms

Meanings

nouncan of worms (plural cans of worms)

idiomaticA complex, troublesome situation, which produces (or whose resolution will produce) many problems.
Questioning the decision would definitely open a can of worms.
1 more example
If someone gets a promotion that might not be deserved, it could open up a whole can of worms with the other employees.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see can, worm.
Synonyms: kettle of fish, Pandora's box, tar baby

nounUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see can, worm.

Similar

Also see

Chinese Mandarin 棘手的問題 /棘手的问题

Finnish soppa

French sac de nœuds

German Fass, Fass ohne Boden

Hungarian darázsfészek

Italian aprire il vaso di Pandora

Japanese ゴチャゴチャした状態, 困った事態

Māori unuhanga taniwha

Polish puszka Pandory

Russian клубо́к пробле́м, весёленькая исто́рия

Spanish melón, avispero

melón (colloquial; usu. preceded by the verb abrir)a complex, troublesome situation
avisperoa complex, troublesome situation
caja de los truenosa complex, troublesome situation

Welsh tuniad o gynrhon

Cite this entry

APA

can of worms. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20of%20worms

MLA

“can of worms.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20of%20worms. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “can of worms,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can%20of%20worms.