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can of worms

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can of worms

 
Use can of worms in a Sentence
–noun
Informal. a source of many unpredictable or unexpected problems: Buying a company we know nothing about would be opening up a whole new can of worms.
Origin:
1965–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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can 2   (kān)   
n.  

  1. A usually cylindrical metal container.

    1. An airtight container, usually made of tin-coated iron, in which foods or beverages are preserved.

    2. The contents of such a container.

  3. Slang A jail or prison.

  4. Slang A toilet or restroom.

  5. Slang The buttocks.

  6. Slang A naval destroyer.

tr.v.   canned, can·ning, cans

  1. To seal in an airtight container for future use; preserve: canning peaches.

  2. Slang To make a recording of: can the audience's applause for a TV comedy show.

  3. Slang To dismiss from employment or school. See Synonyms at dismiss.

  4. Slang To put a stop to; quit: Let's can the chatter.


[Middle English canne, a water container, from Old English.]
can'ner n.
can of worms  
n.   pl. cans of worms Informal
A source of unforeseen and troublesome complexity.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
can of worms

  1. n.
    an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties. (Often with open.) : When you brought that up, you opened a whole new can of worms.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Idioms & Phrases

can of worms

A complex unexpected problem or unsolvable dilemma, as in Tackling the budget cuts is sure to open a can of worms. This expression alludes to a container of bait used for fishing, which when opened reveals an inextricable tangle of worms. [1920s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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