hornet's nest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2/C1Mainly informal, used in both spoken and written contexts, especially journalism and commentary.
Quick answer
What does “hornet's nest” mean?
A literal nest built by hornets, a type of large, aggressive wasp.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A literal nest built by hornets, a type of large, aggressive wasp.
A situation, issue, or organization that is fraught with complexities, difficulties, or aggressive reactions, often triggered by interference.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the phrase idiomatically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of danger, complication, and provoking a swarm of hostile reactions.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “hornet's nest” in a Sentence
[verb] a hornet's nest[verb] up a hornet's nestbe/lie in a hornet's nestopen a hornet's nestVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hornet's nest” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MP's comments have properly hornet's-nested the debate.
- You'll hornet's nest the whole community with that leaflet.
American English
- That policy is going to hornet's nest the entire industry.
- He didn't mean to hornet's nest the situation, but he did.
adverb
British English
- He waded in hornet's-nestly, unaware of the controversy.
- The bill was hornet's-nestly controversial from the start.
American English
- She proceeded hornet's-nestly into the salary discussion.
- The announcement was made rather hornet's-nestly.
adjective
British English
- It was a hornet's-nest issue that the council wisely avoided.
- The journalist wrote a hornet's-nest piece on university funding.
American English
- She asked a hornet's-nest question during the town hall.
- They were dealing with a hornet's-nest problem in HR.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new tax proposals have stirred up a hornet's nest among small business owners.
Academic
The researcher's paper on historical revisionism kicked up a hornet's nest in the department.
Everyday
Asking about holiday plans at the family dinner was like poking a hornet's nest.
Technical
The developer's change to the legacy code opened a hornet's nest of bugs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hornet's nest”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hornet's nest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hornet's nest”
- Using "hornet nest" (without the possessive 's') in the idiom is non-standard and rare.
- Confusing it with "bee's nest"; bees are less aggressive, so the metaphor loses its strength.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard possessive form is 'hornet's nest' for the idiom, though 'hornets' nest' (plural possessive) is also seen and accepted, especially for the literal object. 'Hornet nest' is less common.
Yes, but it is considered informal. In very formal academic or legal writing, alternatives like 'contentious issue' or 'source of vigorous controversy' might be preferred. It is perfectly acceptable in journalism and business commentary.
'Stir up' is by far the most common collocation ('stir up a hornet's nest'). 'Kick up', 'open', and 'poke' are also frequently used.
Almost never. The metaphor is inherently negative, implying danger, trouble, and backlash. A situation described as a hornet's nest is one to be wary of or that has already caused trouble.
A literal nest built by hornets, a type of large, aggressive wasp.
Hornet's nest: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɔː.nɪts ˌnest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːr.nɪts ˌnest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stir up a hornet's nest”
- “poke a hornet's nest with a stick”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone poking a large, papery nest hanging from a tree. Angry HORNETS fly out. Now, imagine that nest is a TOPIC and the hornets are ANGRY PEOPLE. To 'stir a hornet's nest' is to poke a dangerous topic.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROBLEMATIC SITUATION IS A NEST OF DANGEROUS INSECTS; PROVOKING A REACTION IS DISTURBING THE NEST.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'stirring up a hornet's nest'?