Related Searches
on Ask.com
Pandora's box - 5 dictionary results
Pandora's box
–noun
| a source of extensive but unforeseen troubles or problems: The senate investigation turned out to be a Pandora's box for the administration. |
Origin:
1570–80
1570–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source
Pan·do·ra's box
 (pān-dôr'əz, -dōr'-) Pronunciation Key
n. A source of many unforeseen troubles: "Reform is a Pandora's box; opening up the system can lead to a loss of economic and political control" (Russell Watson). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
| pandora's box | |
noun | |
| (Greek mythology) a box that Zeus gave to Pandora with instructions that she not open it; she gave in to her curiosity and opened it; all the miseries and evils flew out to afflict mankind |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Pandora's box
A source of unforeseen trouble, as in Revising the tax code is opening a Pandora's box. This equivalent for the modern can of worms comes from the Greek legend in which Pandora, entrusted with a box containing the world's ills, is overcome by curiosity and opens it, thereby releasing them. [Late 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Pandora's box
In classical mythology, a box that Zeus gave to Pandora, the first woman, with strict instructions that she not open it. Pandora's curiosity soon got the better of her, and she opened the box. All the evils and miseries of the world flew out to afflict mankind.
Note: To “open a Pandora's box” is to create an uncontrollable situation that will cause great grief.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Share :
Copyright © 2008, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
Get your FREE Subscription to Dictionary.com Word of the Day
The FREE Dictionary.com Toolbar
 |
Dictionary |  |
Thesaurus |  |
Reference |  |
The answers are right on your browser and just a click away with Dictionary.com Toolbar.
