What does the expression "Stir up a hornet's nest mean"?
7 answers from our tutors
- BlakeTEFL, IELTS & certified English teacher - Great communication & conversation
'Make trouble' - Make trouble, cause a commotion. It is like asking for an audit of the treasurer's books stirred up a hornet's nest in the association. This metaphonic term, likening hornets to angry humans, dates from the first half of the 1700s.
It is to do something that causes a negative reaction. For example, The Governor stirred up a hornet's nest when he endorsed the bill to end free education.
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- John Kenmuir(AKA John Connor) Cambridge certified teacher since 1998, former IELTS speaking examiner
Literally, it means "run" (if you've ever seen a swarm of angry bees, you know why). (just kidding). Figuratively, as an idiom it means that someone has done something that has angered the people who were involved or affected by the first person's actions.
It's to make people angry and/or cause chaos.
This expression is often used to describe a situation where someone has done something that has upset or angered others, and as a result, the situation has become much more difficult or contentious than it was before. It can also imply that the person who ‘has stirred up the hornet’s nest’ has done son unintentionally and is now facing unexpected consequences.
To Cause a problem or problems. For example: When the French Government Change the retirement age from 62 to 65, it stirred up a Hornets nest of trouble.
- LouiseDFun and patient guide for your journey to fluency!
It means to create a bad situation. For example, "I stirred up a hornet's nest when I told my sister she needs to lose weight." Another example: "The government stirred up a hornet's nest when it proposed cutting aid to single mothers."
