hornet

/'hɔ:nit/

Thân thiện

A hornet builds its nest under the eaves of a house.

Definition

Noun: A hornet is a large, social wasp known for its powerful sting. Hornets build paper-like nests and are generally more aggressive than common wasps, especially when their nest is disturbed.

Examples

• The loud buzzing sound came from a hornet flying near the window.
• Be careful not to disturb the hornet nest hanging from the tree branch.
• A hornet sting can be very painful and dangerous for people who are allergic.

Advanced Usage

• "To stir up a hornet's nest": This idiom means to cause a lot of trouble or provoke a strong, angry reaction by interfering in a sensitive situation.
  • The journalist's article on political corruption really stirred up a hornet's nest.

Variants and Related Words

• Hornet's nest (noun phrase): The physical nest built by hornets, or metaphorically, a situation full of hidden problems and potential conflict.
  • He accidentally knocked down a hornet's nest with his ladder.
  • The new policy turned out to be a political hornet's nest.

Synonyms

• Wasp: A more general term for stinging insects in the same family, though hornets are a specific, larger type of wasp.
• Yellowjacket: A type of wasp often confused with hornets, but typically smaller and with brighter yellow markings.

Related Idioms

• "To bring a hornet's nest about one's ears": An older idiom similar to "stir up a hornet's nest," meaning to bring serious trouble upon oneself.
  • His accusations brought a hornet's nest about his ears.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large stinging paper wasp