hornet's nest

noun

1. a large amount of activity, trouble, hostility, or animosity:

   His investigation stirred up a hornet's nest, resulting in major shifts in personnel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornet's nest¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

If we are to pacify this hornets nest, its high time we set about it.

From Project Gutenberg

Confusion say, he who would poke hole in hornets nest had best be prepared with long legs.

From Project Gutenberg

I aint writ you bout a low flung mounting boy up hear what put a hornets nest under my baid the fust nite we sogourned hear.

From Project Gutenberg

The community was famed for its love of liberty, and was later denounced by Cornwallis as a hornets nest.

From Project Gutenberg

Some time during the winter his cousin had found a big hornets nest in the woods, and had cut it down and taken it home.

From Project Gutenberg