open a can of worms

idiom

: to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems
Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn't want to open a can of worms.

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Cite this Entry

“Open a can of worms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20a%20can%20of%20worms. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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