Note that this should not be written as “hornet’s nest” (although it frequently is) since it belongs to more than one hornet!
Someone who (metaphorically) stirs up a hornets’ nest causes much argument and/or trouble.
This term apparently dates from the early 1700s [1]. It likens angry people to hornets whose nest has been disturbed.
Examples of use:
“THE BBC has stirred a hornets’ nest with its decision to reverse the manifesto pledge and abandon free television licences for the over-75s”
“The government’s stealth in removing the Owls Head parcel from the list has alarmed conservationists and stirred up a hornets’ nest of protest on social media.”
“Developers have stirred up a hornets’ nest among residents by applying to load and unload lorries for 24 hours a day at a controversial warehouse.”
[1] “stir up a hornets’ nest” In The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, by Christine Ammer. 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2013.
Photo credit: Steve Knight (Creative Commons)
Updated Saturday 14 March 2020
This term apparently dates from the early 1700s [1]. It likens angry people to hornets whose nest has been disturbed.
Examples of use:
“THE BBC has stirred a hornets’ nest with its decision to reverse the manifesto pledge and abandon free television licences for the over-75s”
“The government’s stealth in removing the Owls Head parcel from the list has alarmed conservationists and stirred up a hornets’ nest of protest on social media.”
“Developers have stirred up a hornets’ nest among residents by applying to load and unload lorries for 24 hours a day at a controversial warehouse.”
[1] “stir up a hornets’ nest” In The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, by Christine Ammer. 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2013.
Photo credit: Steve Knight (Creative Commons)
Updated Saturday 14 March 2020
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