Question

Stir Up a Hornet's Nest to make many people furious; to cause trouble

Accepted Answer

Please don't stir up a hornet's nest with your proposal to ban gum chewing in school. This popular saying originated in ancient Rome; by the 1700s people were saying it in English. There's a sensible warning that says, "Let sleeping dogs lie," (see page 111). "Don't stir up a hornet's nest" is a good piece of advice, too. Provoking a nest full of dangerous, stinging hornets would be foolish and dangerous. If you stir people up with your ideas or opinions, they might be as furious.

Idiom	Stir Up a Hornet's Nest
Example	Please don't stir up a hornet's nest with your proposal to ban gum chewing in school.
Meaning	to make many people furious; to cause trouble
Origin	This popular saying originated in ancient Rome; by the 1700s people were saying it in English. There's a sensible warning that says, "Let sleeping dogs lie," (see page 111). "Don't stir up a hornet's nest" is a good piece of advice, too. Provoking a nest full of dangerous, stinging hornets would be foolish and dangerous. If you stir people up with your ideas or opinions, they might be as furious.

Stir Hornet's Nest People Proposal Ban Gum Chewing