stir up a hornets' nest

Idioms  

1. 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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Example Sentences

In the meantime, the committee acted as if it knew it was about to make history and stir up a hornets’ nest of trouble, passing the subpoena motion unanimously in four minutes with no debate.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2024

We may suspect, but if we raised a hand we should stir up a hornets' nest, as indeed Mr. Drake appears to be doing.

From In Clive's Command A Story of the Fight for India by Strang, Herbert

Lub looked at him painfully, but he did not think it best to ask further questions lest he stir up a hornets' nest.

From Phil Bradley's Mountain Boys The Birch Bark Lodge by Boone, Silas K.

So you see, she was within her rights, in a way, and beside, I tell you I don't want to stir up a hornets' nest about it.

From Patty Blossom by Wells, Carolyn