🪱 to open a can of worms
Concrete Meaning
To attempt to solve one issue but accidentally create a complex, chaotic new set of problems.
💬 Context & Examples
Used when discussing tricky issues, investigations, or long-ignored topics that will cause massive headaches and complications if officially addressed.
- "Auditing that specific offshore tax account is going to open a can of worms."
- "I just asked a simple question about the schedule, but it opened a whole can of worms regarding our overtime policy."
🧠 Pattern Challenge
Test Yourself
What physically happens when you open a tight container full of live fishing worms?
Show Answer
They immediately squirm, tangle together, and spill everywhere. It becomes messy and virtually impossible to put them back neatly—just like a complicated problem that spirals out of control.