can of worms
noun phrase
: pandora's box
afraid of what we would find if we opened up the can of worms that is the CIA—
Richard Snider
Richard SniderExamples of can of worms in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That may be opening up a can of worms, and not the kind that are good for soil aeration.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Petersen expects more companies to declare force majeure or attempt to get out of existing contracts or relationships, opening a whole new potential legal can of worms.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
The investigation was so slow because by going that route prosecutors had to open a whole can of worms.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
That’s a can of worms that society has not yet dealt with.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Max handles that very well, but the real meat is in the story of a mother and daughter who find that his sudden absence opens up a whole other can of worms.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
The film follows a money collector (Lachman) for a private investigator hired to track down 10 million dollars stolen in a dodgy real estate deal, opening a complex can of worms.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Taming frizz on your natural texture is one thing, but keeping straightened hair sleek is a whole other can of worms.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2025
Regrettably, this opens an entirely new can of worms.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Petersen expects more companies to declare force majeure or attempt to get out of existing contracts or relationships, opening a whole new potential legal can of worms.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
The investigation was so slow because by going that route prosecutors had to open a whole can of worms.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
That’s a can of worms that society has not yet dealt with.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Max handles that very well, but the real meat is in the story of a mother and daughter who find that his sudden absence opens up a whole other can of worms.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
The film follows a money collector (Lachman) for a private investigator hired to track down 10 million dollars stolen in a dodgy real estate deal, opening a complex can of worms.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Taming frizz on your natural texture is one thing, but keeping straightened hair sleek is a whole other can of worms.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2025
Regrettably, this opens an entirely new can of worms.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Can of worms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%20of%20worms. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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