hornet-nest

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noun

a large amount of activity, trouble, hostility, or animosity: His investigation stirred up a hornet's nest, resulting in major shifts in personnel.

Origin:
1730–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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WordNet

hornet's nest
noun
1.	a highly contentious or hazardous situation; "talk of invading Iraq stirred up a political hornets' nest"
2.	habitation for wasps or hornets [syn: wasp's nest]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Relevant Questions

00:10

Hornet-nest is always a great word to know.

So is doohickey. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

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