IdiomAnimals
English
Englishstir up a hornet's nest
Meaning: To cause a lot of trouble or anger, often by provoking people.
Example: “Questioning the budget at the meeting stirred up a hornet's nest.”
Origin: Disturb a hornet's nest and the whole swarm attacks. "Hornet's nest" is in print by 1705, and the figurative use with "stir up" or "raise" follows in the 18th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Donner un coup de pied dans la fourmilière Literally: To give a kick into the anthill
More English idioms
- poke one's nose into To pry or interfere in matters that do not concern one.
- rot one's brain To dull one's mind through mindless activity.
- put someone back on their feet To help someone recover, financially, physically or emotionally.
- go down fighting To keep struggling until the very end, even when defeat is certain.
- none of your beeswax A playful way of saying "none of your business."
- that's all she wrote That is the end of it; there is nothing more.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.
- Tu as une cervelle de moineau You're scatterbrained and forgetful.
- Без царя в голове (Bez tsarya v golove) Foolish and reckless — with no one in charge upstairs.
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