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
Would adding that bit have opened up a can of worms?
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2024
This opens up a whole can of worms about whether, quote-unquote, encrypted messaging and social apps should be regulated or considered responsible for the content that's posted on them.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2024
That’s a can of worms for future parasite research.
—Ashley Stimpson, science.org, 7 May 2024
The guilty verdict in Donald Trump's hush money trial has opened a huge can of worms regarding what this could mean for him legally.
—Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 1 June 2024
There is always the possibility that your bonus son can stay at his mother’s until that happens, however, that will open another can of worms.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024
Smart glasses can be just as discreet, but wearing them opens a whole other can of worms.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024
So really, by definition, a can of worms, if the amendment process is opened up, either through a markup or on the floor.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
That in itself opens up a can of worms: Should a news organization go back in history to change a story based on information that comes out after it was originally published?
—David Bauder, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2024
This opens up a whole can of worms about whether, quote-unquote, encrypted messaging and social apps should be regulated or considered responsible for the content that's posted on them.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2024
That’s a can of worms for future parasite research.
—Ashley Stimpson, science.org, 7 May 2024
The guilty verdict in Donald Trump's hush money trial has opened a huge can of worms regarding what this could mean for him legally.
—Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 1 June 2024
There is always the possibility that your bonus son can stay at his mother’s until that happens, however, that will open another can of worms.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024
Smart glasses can be just as discreet, but wearing them opens a whole other can of worms.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2024
So really, by definition, a can of worms, if the amendment process is opened up, either through a markup or on the floor.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
That in itself opens up a can of worms: Should a news organization go back in history to change a story based on information that comes out after it was originally published?
—David Bauder, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
Articles Related to can of worms
Dictionary Entries Near can of worms
Cite this Entry
“Can of worms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%20of%20worms. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share