一旦我们说谁“捅了马蜂窝”，或者在谈话中不识时务的“哪壶不开提哪壶”，也就是指do or say something that results in a complicated situation full of problems. 做的事，说的话引出复杂的，不好的结果。英语当中与“捅马蜂窝”对应的表达法也和虫子有关，open a can of worms. Can, 在短语中作名词用，意思是“罐；罐头”，打开了一个装满虫子的罐子，的确要好好收拾一番了。

小对话：

A: I suggested our teacher to have a test on Chapter Four. You know, it’s a very important chapter of the whole book. But none of my classmates wants a test. A few boys said they would teach me a lesson one day. 我建议老师考考第四章的内容。你知道吗，第四章是书中最重要的。但是班里没人想考试。几个男生说哪天要给我点儿教训。

B: Wow, that's a tough situation. You really did open a can of worms. Sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the only way to avoid opening a can of worms. 哇，是够糟了。你真是捅了马蜂窝。有时候闭嘴是唯一能避免捅马蜂窝的办法。

更多例句：

Anyhow, it's difficult to always avoid conversation landmines, so be sensible, watch your steps and try not to open a can of worms. 不管怎样，在谈话中往往难免触雷，所以头脑要清醒些，行事要注意些，尽量不要触及那些忌讳的话。

Mr. Chen has opened a can of worms because of his controversial belief. 因为陈先生具争论性的信念，使他添加许多问题。

I really opened up a can of worms when I asked him how his marriage was. 我真是哪壶不开提哪壶，问起了他的婚姻状况。

Look like I opened a can of worms! 我好像捅了一个马蜂窝！

Tom can’t sit still for a minute —he is a can of worms. 汤姆一分钟都坐不住，他是一个心神不定的人。