Idioms

can of worms

This page is about the idiom can of worms

INFORMAL

Meaning

If you say a situation or an issue is a can of worms, you think that getting involved in it could lead to problems.

For example

  • Corruption in politics is such a can of worms that many journalists won't take the risk of seriously investigating it.

  • Cathy never talks about her childhood. She says it's a can of worms she doesn't want to open, though I have no idea why.

Quick Quiz

The investigators knew that examining the company's books might open a can of worms. They suspected there'd be

a. a huge number of worms

b. nothing seriously wrong

c. evidence of serious crimes
a) a huge number of worms b) nothing seriously wrong c) evidence of serious crimes
can of worms

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey