can of worms
noun phrase
: pandora's box
I am afraid of what we would find if we opened up the can of worms that is the CIA.—
Richard Snider
Richard SniderExamples of can of worms in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Very much like in Chinatown, Dahlia’s initial robbery eventually opens up a can of worms that exposes citywide corruption, including a scandal in which arson was used to clear slums for new real estate developments.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
But the movie not wanting to open that particular can of worms isn’t surprising — this is a film that thrives on bloodshed and thoughtlessness.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Is that a can of worms the NCAA is willing to open?
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
One question that seemed to dominate conversation on Sunday had nothing to do with the genre-scrambling film’s Oscar chances, but, rather, its categorization as a comedy in the first place, which is a whole other can of worms.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. Imagination engine or a can of worms?
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
On the flip side, though, casting a former reality show star — let alone a public-facing influencer, who has a domestic violence arrest (though she has been cleared of the charges) — on a reality show could also open up a can of worms.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
This would prevent the opening of a can of worms.
—Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This has prompted Drake’s legal team to request that UMG produce all documents related to Lamar’s children and any domestic violence allegations against him, which could open up an entirely new can of worms.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
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Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
But the movie not wanting to open that particular can of worms isn’t surprising — this is a film that thrives on bloodshed and thoughtlessness.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Is that a can of worms the NCAA is willing to open?
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
One question that seemed to dominate conversation on Sunday had nothing to do with the genre-scrambling film’s Oscar chances, but, rather, its categorization as a comedy in the first place, which is a whole other can of worms.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. Imagination engine or a can of worms?
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
On the flip side, though, casting a former reality show star — let alone a public-facing influencer, who has a domestic violence arrest (though she has been cleared of the charges) — on a reality show could also open up a can of worms.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
This would prevent the opening of a can of worms.
—Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This has prompted Drake’s legal team to request that UMG produce all documents related to Lamar’s children and any domestic violence allegations against him, which could open up an entirely new can of worms.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Can of worms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%20of%20worms. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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