Meaning of Idiom ‘(Open a) Can of Worms’
To open a can of worms means to do something that will uncover more problems and make things more complicated and unsolvable than they already were; to create an unpleasant or troubling situation.
While often used as a verb phrase with “open,” this idiom is used in many different ways. Can of worms is used on its own to refer to many problems. As well, adjectives might be added such as a can of legal worms. Other words are sometimes substituted for can/ such as bucket or even barrel, without changing the meaning. Many variations are possible, such as “a whole new can of worms” to refer to a new set of problems.
Origin of ‘Open a Can of Worms’
The idiom, ‘open a can of worms’ has been used since the 1920’s. It alludes to opening a can of worms used as bait for fishing, which tends to reveal a tangled knot of wriggly worms.
Video Presentation
Movie and Television Citations
From JFK (1991 Film): During a tense investigation into the assassination of President Kennedy, the team discusses why federal authorities might be ignoring evidence of organized crime involvement.
Investigator: “Ruby is all mob, knows Oswald, sets him up Hoffa, Trafficante, Marcello, they hire some guns and do Kennedy. The government doesn’t want to open up a whole can of worms because it used the mob to try to get Castro.”
From The Gift (2001 Film): When a local psychic’s visions successfully lead the police to a murdered woman’s body, the prosecuting attorney worries about the legal nightmare of relying on supernatural evidence in court.
Prosecuting Attorney: “…we found out where the victim’s body was. That might open up a real can of worms for us. Psychic phenomena, E.S.P., dreams, visions… the defense could go to town on you.”
From Steel Magnolias (1989 Film): In a humorous, meddlesome moment, Truvy introduces the famously grumpy Ouiser to an old flame, fully aware she is about to cause romantic chaos.
Truvy: “Somebody wants to see you.”
Ouiser: “Who?”
Truvy: “I’ve opened the can of worms for you.”
From The Russia House (1990 Film): Intelligence agents realize that a leaked manuscript from a top Russian scientist (Dante/Savelyev) could completely upend the Cold War arms race.
Agent 1: “He’s going to reconstruct the balance of terror, and open the ultimate can of worms. Savelyev?! My God, if Dante is Savelyev, you guys don’t know what you’ve got!”
Agent 2: “Yes, we do. Trouble.”
Sentence Examples
“Refinishing the basement in my house opened up a can of worms. Now I have to hire a waterproofer and deal with mold!”
“I know Harry’s plan seems like a good idea but trust me, its a can of worms we don’t want to deal with right now.”
“David didn’t realize the can of worms he would open by returning home after so long.”