snake pit
Lair of vipers
A snake pit is literally a pit filled with snakes—a form of execution or torture in legend and horror.
The figurative sense dominates: any place of chaos, danger, or psychological torment.
A dysfunctional workplace, a psychiatric ward, or any environment marked by vicious infighting might be called a snake pit: That office is a real snake pit.
Covert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
machinations · plotting · treachery · double-dealing · cutthroat · deception · subterfuge · duplicity
Injected animal poison
- fangsSharp piercing teeth
- viperFanged toxic serpent
- cobraHooded venomous serpent
- rattlesnakeViper with segmented tail noisemaker
mamba · python · anaconda · copperhead · serpent · venomous · deadly · predator
Shelter from persecution
- madhouseChaotic, disordered place
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- wardProtected person; division
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
insanity · breakdown · confinement · inmates · disturbed
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- disorderAbsence of organization
anarchy · havoc · disarray · confusion · frenzy · commotion · uproar · tumult
Animal's hidden dwelling
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- hollowEmpty within
hideout · underground · subterranean · habitat · breeding-ground · writhing · tangle · mass
backstabbing
Covert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
conspiracy · machinations · plotting · treachery · double-dealing · cutthroat · deception · subterfuge · duplicity · conniving
venom
Injected animal poison
rattlesnake · mamba · python · anaconda · copperhead · serpent · venomous · deadly · predator · hazard
asylum
Shelter from persecution
- madhouseChaotic, disordered place
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- wardProtected person; division
commitment · insanity · breakdown · confinement · inmates · disturbed
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
disorder · anarchy · havoc · disarray · confusion · frenzy · commotion · uproar · tumult · muddle
lair
Animal's hidden dwelling
hollow · hideout · underground · subterranean · habitat · breeding-ground · writhing · tangle · mass · cluster
- pits
- trapstrap, bear trap, mousetrap, rat trap, ant trap
- asylumsinsane asylum, lunatic asylum, madhouse, mental institution, psychiatric hospital
- reptileslizard, turtle, crocodile, alligator, python
- danger zonesdanger zone, danger zones, disaster zone, war zone, war zones
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
snake pitsanctuary
Protected sacred space
safe haven · refuge · shelter · haven · safe house
snake pitoasis
Fertile desert spot
peaceful retreat · comfort zone · happy place · idyll · healing space
pit, snake, pits, snakes, snakebite, snakebites, snakelike, snakehead, snakefish