| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a can of worms | a complicated problem |
| 2. | a disaster waiting to happen | likely to go wrong |
| 3. | a hornet’s nest | a source of trouble |
| 4. | a minefield | a situation full of risks |
| 5. | a powder keg | a volatile situation |
| 6. | a recipe for disaster | likely to end badly |
| 7. | a sticky wicket | a difficult situation |
| 8. | a ticking time bomb | a problem about to explode |
| 9. | add fuel to the fire | make trouble worse |
| 10. | ask for trouble | invite problems by your actions |
| 11. | backed into a corner | forced into a bad position |
| 12. | be in hot water | be in trouble |
| 13. | bend the rules | stretch rules dishonestly |
| 14. | between a rock and a hard place | facing two bad choices |
| 15. | bite off more than you can chew | take on too much |
| 16. | blow things out of proportion | make a problem seem bigger |
| 17. | bring trouble on yourself | cause your own trouble |
| 18. | caught between two fires | attacked from both sides |
| 19. | caught in the crossfire | hurt by others’ conflict |
| 20. | cause a stir | create commotion |
| 21. | clouds on the horizon | signs of trouble ahead |
| 22. | court disaster | invite a bad outcome |
| 23. | cross the line | go too far |
| 24. | dark clouds gather | trouble seems likely |
| 25. | dig your own grave | cause your own downfall |
| 26. | dig yourself into a hole | worsen your situation |
| 27. | double-cross | betray someone |
| 28. | drop the ball | make a mistake |
| 29. | face the music | accept consequences |
| 30. | fall apart at the seams | break down completely |
| 31. | fan the flames | make conflict worse |
| 32. | get in over your head | take on too much |
| 33. | get into trouble | become involved in problems |
| 34. | go belly up | fail completely |
| 35. | go from bad to worse | get progressively worse |
| 36. | go haywire | malfunction or go wrong |
| 37. | go off the rails | become chaotic or wrong |
| 38. | go pear-shaped | go wrong unexpectedly |
| 39. | go to hell in a handbasket | decline rapidly |
| 40. | gum up the works | cause a process to fail |
| 41. | hard times | a period of difficulty |
| 42. | hit the fan | suddenly become chaotic |
| 43. | in a pickle | in a difficult situation |
| 44. | in a tight spot | in a difficult position |
| 45. | in dire straits | in severe trouble |
| 46. | in the line of fire | in danger of attack |
| 47. | in the thick of it | in the middle of trouble |
| 48. | in troubled waters | in difficulty or danger |
| 49. | kick someone when they’re down | hurt someone already suffering |
| 50. | kick up a fuss | complain noisily |
| 51. | let off the hook | free from blame |
| 52. | look for trouble | seek conflict or problems |
| 53. | make a scene | cause public embarrassment |
| 54. | make trouble | cause problems intentionally |
| 55. | make waves | cause trouble or change |
| 56. | more trouble than it’s worth | not worth the effort |
| 57. | nothing but trouble | only problems |
| 58. | on thin ice | in a risky situation |
| 59. | open a can of worms | create more problems |
| 60. | open old wounds | revive past trouble |
| 61. | paint yourself into a corner | create your own trap |
| 62. | pick a fight | start a quarrel |
| 63. | play with fire | take dangerous risks |
| 64. | poke the bear | provoke someone dangerous |
| 65. | pour oil on troubled waters | calm a conflict |
| 66. | push someone’s buttons | provoke someone deliberately |
| 67. | put a spoke in the wheel | hinder progress |
| 68. | put the cat among the pigeons | cause trouble suddenly |
| 69. | raise a ruckus | cause a disturbance |
| 70. | raise Cain | cause a loud disturbance |
| 71. | raise hell | cause serious trouble |
| 72. | rock the boat | cause trouble by upsetting things |
| 73. | rub someone the wrong way | annoy someone |
| 74. | ruffle feathers | annoy or upset people |
| 75. | salt in the wound | make pain worse |
| 76. | set someone off | make someone angry |
| 77. | shoot yourself in the foot | harm yourself by mistake |
| 78. | spell trouble | signal problems ahead |
| 79. | stab someone in the back | betray someone |
| 80. | stir the pot | provoke conflict |
| 81. | stir up trouble | cause problems or conflict |
| 82. | the wheels come off | things fall apart |
| 83. | things go south | things start going wrong |
| 84. | throw a curveball | create an unexpected problem |
| 85. | throw a monkey wrench in | cause disruption |
| 86. | throw a spanner in the works | cause disruption |
| 87. | throw a wrench in | disrupt a plan |
| 88. | trouble and strife | conflict, especially at home |
| 89. | trouble is brewing | problems are developing |
| 90. | under a cloud | suspected of wrongdoing; in disgrace |
| 91. | up the creek | in trouble with no help |
| 92. | up to no good | behaving in a suspicious way |
| 93. | up to your old tricks | causing trouble again as usual |
| 94. | upset the apple cart | ruin plans or stability |
| 95. | wake a sleeping dog | revive an old source of trouble |
| 96. | walk a tightrope | act in a risky, delicate situation |
| 97. | walk into a trap | fall into trouble unknowingly |
| 98. | walk on eggshells | act carefully to avoid trouble |
| 99. | wash your dirty linen in public | publicize private disputes |
| 100. | when the shit hits the fan | when trouble erupts |
