stir up a hornets' nest

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Make trouble, cause a commotion, as in Asking for an audit of the treasurer's books stirred up a hornets' nest in the association. This metaphoric term, likening hornets to angry humans, dates from the first half of the 1700s.

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Words nearby stir up a hornets' nest

stirrup cup, stirrup jar, stirrup leather, stirrup pump, stir up, stir up a hornets' nest, stishie, stishovite, stitch, stitch abscess, stitchery

How to use stir up a hornets' nest in a sentence

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
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In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
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We won't find out this season, though it comes up occasionally.
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Kickstarter is one start-up platform that seems to have realized the danger.
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The most recent issue contains detailed instructions for building car bombs, and the magazine frequently draws up hit-lists.
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What need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Most of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Some weeks after, the creditor chanced to be in Boston, and in walking up Tremont street, encountered his enterprising friend.
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In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our little army on the march.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.
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