Troublemaking

a thing that is the source of a trouble, particularly by making people argue over it

That stupid prom dress has been their apple of discord—they've been fighting over who gets to wear it for days now!

to do something that gets oneself stuck into a difficulty

His only regret, it appears, is digging a hole for himself by answering questions in the first instance.

something that most likely results in great problems

Mixing alcohol with prescription medication is a dangerous recipe for disaster and can have severe health consequences.

to provoke problems with something that one does or says

She wasn't one to rock the boat, preferring to keep things low-key and drama-free.

something that when someone tries to deal with it causes many problems

The investigation into the company's financial records opened a can of worms, revealing widespread corruption and fraudulent activities.

said when an action has inevitable consequences

Just so you know, Mom found out you lied to her.The fat is in the fire now, huh?

a difficult situation that one cannot change or escape from

If it comes to that, then that will be a cross I must bear.

a situation in which a person is subjected to more trouble instead of a positive outcome

Seeing that I would get more kicks than halfpence if I remained, I took my leave and absconded to the shore for a bit of merriment.

in a situation that is extremely difficult to go through

I went through the mill as a kid in high school.I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

used for stating that a lot of problems and arguments will occur when someone becomes aware of something

When news broke about the company's financial fraud, the shit hit the fan, leading to a massive drop in stock prices and a full-scale investigation.

used to describe a situation that was already bad has suddenly become worse

We need a leader who is strong and steady, someone who won't shrink from adversity when the fat hits the fire.

to indicate or suggest that a situation or action is likely to lead to problems

The dark clouds on the horizon spelled trouble for the picnic.