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

Examples of can of worms in a Sentence

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Call this a can of worms carved open. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 10 June 2026 This latest research opens a whole can of worms (pun intended). — Forrester, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026 Is that a can of worms the NCAA is willing to open? — Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026 In the meantime, citizens can ponder just why our leader opened such a huge can of worms. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for can of worms

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of can of worms was in 1962

Rhymes for can of worms

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Browse Nearby Words

canoewood
can of worms
canoid
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Cite this Entry

“Can of worms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%20of%20worms. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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