opened Pandora's box
Let loose hidden evils
To open Pandora's box is to trigger a cascade of unforeseen troubles or complications that cannot be undone.
The phrase comes from Greek mythology, in which Pandora opened a forbidden container and released all manner of evils into the world.
Someone who has opened Pandora's box has initiated something—often with innocent or good intentions—that unleashes problems far beyond what was anticipated.
By questioning the will, she opened Pandora's box of family resentments.
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- ZeusGreek sky god
- PrometheusFire-stealing benefactor of mortals
- curiosityDesire to learn
- playing with fireEngaging in reckless behavior
metaphor · jar · Trojan horse · ripple effect · unintended consequences · recklessness · hope · can of worms · moral responsibility · domino effect · cautionary tales · allegory · impulsivity · hubris · ethical quandaries · human nature · free will · moral dilemmas
opened Pandora's boxput the genie back in the bottle
Reverse irreversible change
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