hornet nest
Stinging insect home
A hornet nest is the papery structure hornets build to house their colony, typically attached to trees, eaves, or building overhangs.
Figuratively, to stir up a hornet nest is to provoke trouble or angry opposition—the image being that disturbing the nest brings a swarm of stinging attackers.
Also spelled as one word: hornets' nest.
- waspNarrow-bodied stinging insect
- paper waspPulp-nest-building stinger
- yellow jacketGround-nesting stinging insect
- stingerVenom-injecting body part
- swarmMass of moving insects
buzzing · buzz saw · hive · paper · angry · danger · colony · sting · yellow · black · insects · attack · disturb · poke · tree · branch · comb · venom
safety/danger
hornet nestsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · refuge · shelter · safe space · comfort zone