English Lexicon

Pandora's Box

/pænˈdɔːrəz bɒks/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A source of unforeseen troubles or problems, often as a result of curiosity or a desire to know.

    "Opening Pandora's Box by discussing the controversial topic led to a heated debate."
  2. 2

    A situation or action that may lead to a series of negative consequences.

    "The decision to ignore the warning signs was like opening Pandora's Box."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'Pandora's Box' originates from Greek mythology, where Pandora was the first woman created by the gods. She was given a box (or jar) that contained all the evils of the world, which were released when she opened it, symbolizing the unforeseen consequences of human actions. The phrase has evolved to represent a source of unforeseen troubles.

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