| Main Entry: | can of worms |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | complicated situation |
Synonyms: |
Gordian knot, Pandora's box, Pandora's box, complex problem, complexity, complication, difficult situation, difficulty, dog's breakfast, entanglement, hard nut to crack, headache, hornet's nest, hot water, hot water, mare's nest, mess, predicament, problem, quagmire, quandary, snafu, snake pit, snarl, trouble, troublesome problem, unpredictable situation |
| Main Entry: | adversity |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | bad luck, situation |
Synonyms: |
affliction, bad break, bummer, calamity, can of worms, catastrophe, clutch, contretemps, crunch, difficulty, disaster, distress, downer, drag*, evil eye, hard knocks, hard times, hardship, hurting, ill fortune, jam, jinx, kiss of death, misery, misfortune, mishap, on the skids, pain in the neck, poison*, reverse, sorrow, suffering, the worst, tough luck, trial, trouble |
Antonyms: |
aid, encouragement, favor, fortune, good luck, help, prosperity |
| Main Entry: | consequence |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | result, outcome of action |
Synonyms: |
aftereffect, aftermath, bottom line, can of worms, chain reaction, effect, end, event, fallout, follow through, follow-up, issue, outgrowth, payback, reaction, repercussion, sequel, sequence, spin-off, upshot, waves |
Antonyms: |
beginning, cause, commencement, inception, origin, rise, source, start |
| Main Entry: | distress |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | hardship, adversity |
Synonyms: |
bad luck, bummer, calamity, can of worms, catastrophe, crunch, destitution, difficulty, disaster, downer, drag*, exigency, hard knocks, hard time, holy mess, hot water, indigence, jam*, misfortune, need, pickle, pinch*, poverty, privation, rigor, rotten luck, scrape*, straits, throe, ticklish spot, tough break, tough luck, trial, trouble, unholy mess, vicissitude, want |
Antonyms: |
advantage, benefit, miracle |
| Main Entry: | effect |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | result |
Synonyms: |
aftereffect, aftermath, backlash, backwash, can of worms, causatum, chain reaction, conclusion, consequence, corollary, denouement, development, end, end product, event, eventuality, fallout, flak, follow through, follow-up, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, pursuance, ramification, reaction, reflex, repercussion, response, sequel, sequence, side effect, spin-off, upshot, waves |
| Notes: | as a noun, affect means 'a feeling or emotion,' whereas effect means 'the result or consequence of some action or process'; as a verb, to affect means 'to exert an influence upon,' and implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction, whereas to effect means 'to bring about as a result' effect is a noun referring to a thing, but if you mean an action, that is affect; if you want the verb meaning 'achieve, bring about,' that is effect |
Antonyms: |
beginning, cause, commencement, foundation, origin, source, start |
| Main Entry: | problem |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | difficulty; bad situation |
Synonyms: |
botheration, box*, can of worms, complication, count*, crunch, dilemma, disagreement, dispute, disputed point, doubt, headache, hitch*, hot water, issue, mess*, obstacle, pickle, point at issue, predicament, quandary, question, scrape*, squeeze*, trouble, worriment |
Antonyms: |
good situation, solution |
| Main Entry: | mare's nest |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | troublesome situation |
Synonyms: |
can of worms, dog's breakfast, gallimaufry, hash, mess, patchwork, rat's nest, salmagundi |
| Main Entry: | Pandora's box |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | evils that are hidden |
Synonyms: |
can of worms, confusion, evil, hornet's nest, ill, snake in the grass |
| Main Entry: | snake pit |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | place of turmoil |
Synonyms: |
can of worms, chaotic place, mare's nest, place of disorder, rat's nest |
| Main Entry: | hornets' nest |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | problem |
Synonyms: |
botheration, box*, can of worms, complication, count*, crunch, dilemma, disagreement, dispute, disputed point, doubt, headache, hitch*, hot water, issue, mess*, obstacle, pickle, point at issue, predicament, quandary, question, scrape*, squeeze*, tr |