"Opening up a can of worms"
and
"Opening up Pandora's Box"
2007-02-15 03:43:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
They're very similar for sure. I've never heard the phrase used as "opening a can of worms". It's usually something like "oh that's just going to be another can of worms."
Pandora's box is more of an "oh crap NOW what's going to happen". A can of worms is more of a known problem that is intertwining with other problems to create a big mess.
2007-02-15 04:22:00 · answer #1 · answered by hatevirtual 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference is in their usage. "Opening up a can of worms" is used for a distasteful, unappetizing situation, rather like finding out the milk in the carton has gone sour. "Opening up Pandora's Box" is used for a much more cataclysmic, potentially lethal situation, like opening up the hold on the ship that came into the port of Messina in 1347.
2007-02-15 04:02:18 · answer #2 · answered by WMD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference lies in how much trouble you're causing. A can of worms may be slight problems, while Pandora's box has more extreme troubles...maybe??
2007-02-15 04:01:16 · answer #3 · answered by kittydoormat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think there is.Good one
2007-02-15 03:49:49 · answer #4 · answered by bearbrain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY MEAN THE SAME!
2007-02-15 04:17:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋