hornets' nest
Volatile problem source
A hornets' nest is literally a nest of hornets—aggressive stinging insects that attack in swarms when disturbed.
The phrase almost always appears figuratively: to stir up a hornets' nest is to provoke a fierce, chaotic reaction from many people at once.
His comments about immigration stirred up a hornets' nest on social media.
- stingSharp wound from insect
- bee stingInsect's venomous jab
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- buzzContinuous low drone
- humLow steady sound
black · wasp waist · papery · provocation · controversy · wasp · killer bees · chaos · uproar · danger · conflict · yellow · hive · colony · swarm · insect · pain · attack
danger and trouble
hornets' nestsafe haven
Protected place of shelter
sanctuary · refuge · haven · safe harbor · shelter
complexity and difficulty
hornets' nesteasy fix