Pandora's box

Pandora's box

1. (Greek mythology) A box given to Pandora by Zeus, whose instructions stated that it must not be opened, and were then ignored, leading to disastrous consequences.

Pandora's box (plural Pandora's boxes)

1. (idiomatic) A source of unforeseen trouble.
   • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], OCLC 21345056, page 16:

     There was an evil in Pandora's box
     Beyond all other ones, yet it came forth
     In guise so lovely, that men crowded round
     And sought it as the dearest of all treasure.

• can of worms
• genie is out of the bottle
• kettle of fish
• open Pandora's box