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3. open Pandora's box

open Pandora's box

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open Pandora's box

Fig. to uncover a lot of unsuspected problems. When I asked Jane about her problems, I didn't know I had opened Pandora's box. You should be cautious with people who are upset. You don't want to open Pandora's box.

See also: box, open

open (a) Pandora's box

to start something that causes many new and unexpected problems They worry that any decision they make about testing will open a Pandora's box. What kind of Pandora's box do we open if we decide not arrest people who have committed a crime?

Etymology: based on an old Greek story in which a woman named Pandora opened a box containing all the troubles the world has experienced

See also: box, open