Definition
马蜂窝 literally means 'hornet's nest' or 'wasp's nest' (a paper-like nest built by wasps). Figuratively, it refers to a highly sensitive or dangerous situation that, if disturbed, will cause serious trouble. The word is most often used in the common idiom 捅马蜂窝 (tǒng mǎ fēng wō, 'to stir up a hornet's nest'), meaning to provoke a messy or violent reaction. As a noun, you can talk about encountering or avoiding a 马蜂窝 in either sense.
n
wasp's nesthornet's nest (literal)a sensitive or dangerous situationa hornet's nest (figurative)
Examples
- 马蜂窝。Wūyán xià yǒu yí gè hěn dà de mǎ fēng wō.There is a very large hornet's nest under the eaves.
- 马蜂窝，。Zhè jiàn shì shì gè mǎ fēng wō, nǐ zuì hǎo bié qù pèng.This matter is a hornet's nest — you'd better not touch it.
- 马蜂窝，。Tā tǒng le mǎ fēng wō, xiànzài máfan dà le.He stirred up a hornet's nest, and now he's in big trouble.
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