Daily Video Vocabulary - Episode 40 | Free English lesson ( ESL )

Free English video lesson to speak fluent English with a neutral accent.

Daily Video Vocabulary - Episode 40 -

To open a can of worms.
Sometimes, certain things that you say or do, put you in a situation which is hard to deal with, you find yourself in a big mess. This means knowingly or unknowingly you have landed up in a difficult situation.

To open a can of worms, basically means, to be in a difficult situation or a very big problem. By opening a can of worms, you actually open the door to a whole set of new problems. So when you find yourself in a complex situation dealing with such a situation, is very difficult and you actually get caught up in the middle of worms. You can use this phrase to describe a situation which is difficult to handle or solve and you feel stuck, not knowing how to come out of such a messy situation with the right solution.

Example 01 : I won't ask about Maria's divorce status, I would be opening a can of worms for myself.

Example 02 : Repairing a car machine is one thing, but dealing with a truck machine is a whole can of worms for the mechanic, as he is a fresher is this field.

Example 03 : The shortcut to the highway seemed easy on the map, but when we went through, it was nothing, but a can of worms.

Example 04 : After hyping up the political scandal, the media found themselves in a can of worms.

Example 05 : Sam is focusing on his final year of graduation, advising him to take up a job this year, would open a can of worms.

Example 06 : Declaring the company's poor financial position to our investors, will open a can of worms, which will lead to further complications.

Example 07 : By bringing up the fight you had with Lisa last night, you are opening a can of worms as it will lead to a further mess.

Example 08 : When I asked Mary about her new means of earning money, she got offended, I didn't realize that I was opening a can of worms.

Example 09 : With so much diversity in our country, making a public comment on any community, would open a can of worms.

Example 10 : Buying the shares of a company we don't know of, would be opening a can of worms.

Example 11 : Be careful ! If you get into a partnership business with your nasty friend, William, you are opening a can of worms for yourself.

Example 12 : William opened a can of worms by double timing his girlfriend.

Example 14 : The Minister's insensitive speech towards the minorities, opened a huge can of worms for his party.