English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Stir up a hornet’s nest

Meaning

The idiom "stir up a hornet's nest" means to create a disturbance or conflict by saying something that someone disagrees with, bringing up an old issue, or causing someone to become angry or upset. It is a figurative expression that compares a person's actions to stirring up a nest of angry hornets.

Usage

  • "I didn't expect my comment to stir up such a hornet's nest on social media." - This sentence is an example of the idiom being used in a general context.
  • "The politician's statement about taxes stirred up a hornet's nest among his constituents." - In this sentence, the idiom is used to describe a specific event or action.
  • "I tried to avoid talking about politics at the dinner party, but my comment ended up stirring up a hornet's nest." - This sentence shows how the idiom can be used in a more personal context.
  • "The news article about the company's layoffs stirred up a hornet's nest among the employees." - In this sentence, the idiom is used to describe the emotions and reactions of people who were affected by the company's decision.
  • "I didn't mean for my joke to stir up a hornet's nest among my colleagues." - This sentence highlights how even something that was intended to be lighthearted can still cause conflict or controversy.

Roots and History

The idiom is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It is a figurative expression that compares the actions of someone to stirring up a nest of angry hornets. Hornets are known for their aggressive behavior, and when they feel threatened, they can attack with great ferocity. The idiom may have been influenced by the fact that people often get upset or angry when they are criticized or challenged. By comparing these situations to being attacked by angry hornets, the expression highlights the intensity of the emotions involved.

Synonyms in English

  • Stir up trouble
  • Cause a commotion
  • Create a furor
  • Start a fuss
  • Spark debate

Synonyms in other languages

  • French: "Rouler la pomme d'eau" - This expression means to stir up a scene or to cause trouble.
  • Spanish: "Hacer una escasa" - This expression means to make a big deal about something small or to create a fuss over nothing.
  • Italian: "Creare un motto" - This expression means to start a riot or to create a disturbance.
  • German: "Aufzufangen" - This expression means to catch someone in an argument or to get someone angry.
  • Russian: "Приводить в ярость" - This expression means to make someone very angry or enraged.

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