To stir up a hornet's nest
- To stir up a hornet's nest
- Hornet Hor"net, n. [AS. hyrnet; akin to OHG. hornaz, hornuz,
G. horniss; perh. akin to E. horn, and named from the sound
it makes as if blowing the horn; but more prob. akin to D.
horzel, Lith. szirszone, L. crabo.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large, strong wasp. The European species ({Vespa crabro})
is of a dark brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious,
and its sting is very severe. Its nest is constructed of a
paperlike material, and the layers of comb are hung together
by columns. The American white-faced hornet ({Vespa
maculata}) is larger and has similar habits.
[1913 Webster]
{Hornet fly} (Zo["o]l.), any dipterous insect of the genus
{Asilus}, and allied genera, of which there are numerous
species. They are large and fierce flies which capture
bees and other insects, often larger than themselves, and
suck their blood. Called also {hawk fly}, {robber fly}.
{To stir up a hornet's nest}, to provoke the attack of a
swarm of spiteful enemies or spirited critics. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
stir up a hornet's nest — {v. phr.} To make many people angry; do something that many people don t like. * /The principal stirred up a hornet s nest by changing the rules at school./ … Dictionary of American idioms
stir up a hornet's nest — {v. phr.} To make many people angry; do something that many people don t like. * /The principal stirred up a hornet s nest by changing the rules at school./ … Dictionary of American idioms
stir up a hornet's nest — stir up a hornet’s nest phrase to cause a situation that makes people very angry or upset Thesaurus: to cause problems for someone or somethingsynonym Main entry: hornet … Useful english dictionary
stir up a hornet's nest — If you stir up a hornet s nest, you do something which causes a commotion and provokes criticism and anger. His letter to the Board stirred up a real hornet s nest … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
stir\ up\ a\ hornet's\ nest — v. phr. To make many people angry; do something that many people don t like. The principal stirred up a hornet s nest by changing the rules at school … Словарь американских идиом
stir up a hornet's nest — make many people angry, do something that many people don t like He stirred up a hornet s nest when he began to talk about the problems with the bonus system at his job … Idioms and examples
stir up a hornet's nest — cause major problems; agitate hornets in a nest … English contemporary dictionary
hornet's nest — noun 1. a highly contentious or hazardous situation talk of invading Iraq stirred up a political hornets nest • Syn: ↑hornets nest • Hypernyms: ↑situation 2. habitation for wasps or hornets • Syn: ↑wasp s nest … Useful english dictionary
hornet's nest — n. angry reaction to stir up a hornet s nest * * * [ angry reaction ] to stir up a hornet s nest … Combinatory dictionary
hornet's nest — noun Date: circa 1740 1. a troublesome or hazardous situation 2. an angry reaction < must have known that his frank comments…would stir up a hornet s nest U.S. Investor > … New Collegiate Dictionary
