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3. open a can of worms

open a can of worms

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open (up) a can of worms

to create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant The investigation into how these expensive trips were paid for certainly opened a can of worms.

Usage notes: sometimes used without open up: I don't think her plan will work - it seems like kind of a can of worms to me.

See also: can, of, open, Worms