Last Updated：2025/11/29

(literally) A hornets' nest. / (figuratively) An unpleasant or controversial situation likely to be exacerbated by outside involvement.

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hornets' nest

Source Word

hornets' nest

Noun

literally figuratively

(literally) A hornets' nest. / (figuratively) An unpleasant or controversial situation likely to be exacerbated by outside involvement.

Japanese Meaning

スズメバチの巣（直訳） / 外部の介入で状況がさらに悪化するおそれがある、不快または論争を引き起こす可能性のある事態（比喩的な意味）

When we accidentally knocked down the old tree, we discovered a huge hornets' nest hidden in the hollow.

私たちが古い木を誤って倒したとき、空洞の中に大きなスズメバチの巣を見つけました。

Sense（1）

(literally) A hornets' nest.

Sense（2）

(figuratively) An unpleasant or controversial situation likely to be exacerbated by outside involvement.

Now what a-devil has set this hornet's nest of theirs abuzz so suddenly?

hornets' nests

（ plural ）