Pandora's box

American  

noun

1. a source of extensive but unforeseen troubles or problems.

   The senate investigation turned out to be a Pandora's box for the administration.

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Pandora's box Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, a box that Zeus gave to Pandora, the first woman, with strict instructions that she not open it. Pandora's curiosity soon got the better of her, and she opened the box. All the evils and miseries of the world flew out to afflict mankind.

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Pandora's box Idioms  

1. A source of unforeseen trouble, as in Revising the tax code is opening a Pandora's box. This equivalent for the modern can of worms comes from the Greek legend in which Pandora, entrusted with a box containing the world's ills, is overcome by curiosity and opens it, thereby releasing them. [Late 1500s]

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Discover More

To “open a Pandora's box” is to create an uncontrollable situation that will cause great grief.

Etymology

Origin of Pandora's box

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

"We knew that this will open up a Pandora's box of chaos," said the Gulf International Forum's Aziz Alghashian, a Saudi analyst.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Not thankful: All the hand-wringing and apocalyptic soothsaying about how artificial intelligence is a Pandora’s box that will steal our jobs and ultimately spell our doom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

"That night opened a Pandora's box in our relationship," Jane told the court.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2025

And it seems theoretically possible to do it, but experts are now warning it could be opening Pandora’s box.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2025

On that night after Phoebe had given her Pandora report, I thought about the Hope in Pandora’s box.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech