Meaning
A complex, troublesome situation or issue.
Primary Function
Complexity warning.
Communicative Purpose
To deter opening a problematic topic.
Pattern
a can of worms
Core Structure
a can of worms
Função primária
Complexity warning.
Propósito comunicativo
To deter opening a problematic topic.
Situações de gatilho
Investigations, controversial topics.
Contextos
Law, politics, bureaucracy.
Padrão
a can of worms
Estrutura central
a can of worms
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- open
- opened
- is a real
Substituições comuns
- a Pandora’s box
Erros comuns
*a can with worms* (prep)
Similar / contraste
a hornet’s nest
Interferências
Not fishing.
Família do chunk
- Trouble/complexity idioms
Nuance
Negative, warning against interference.
Efeito pragmático
Signals potential chaos.
Dica de memória
Opening a can and wriggling worms spill out.
Nota
This idiom is often used to discourage further investigation into a complex issue.
Upgrade path
an intricately problematic scenario (formal)
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