witches' brew

American  

noun

1. a potent magical concoction supposedly prepared by witches.

2. a harmful or threatening mixture; diabolical concoction.

   a witches' brew of innuendo and rumor.

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Etymology

Origin of witches' brew

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Fall-scented candles — from spiced pumpkin to witches’ brew — are also enjoying their moment under the spotlight.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2023

“The question isn’t what this does to Al Qaeda, but what does this do to the witches’ brew of terrorists in Afghanistan?” said Brian Katulis, the vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2022

It all adds up to a witches’ brew in bilateral relations.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2022

David Henderson, a representative from Iowa, compared margarine to the witches’ brew in Macbeth.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2018

There were no baskets of bones, no cauldrons of bubbling witches’ brew.

From "I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980" by Lauren Tarshis