Stir up a hornet's nest

Meaning

To provoke a situation or a group of people in a way that causes a chaotic or angry reaction. It usually refers to an unnecessary argument that nobody needed.

Cautionary, vivid

Used in a sentence

• Whatever you do, do not bring up politics at the reunion, or you will stir up a hornet's nest.
• I warned him not to ask about the missing funds, but he insisted on stirring up a hornet's nest.
• I would rather let the matter drop than stir up a hornet's nest with the neighbors.