expression, godan verb (-su)
stir up trouble for oneself; poke the bush and scare out a snake
Proverb meaning that unnecessary meddling can bring about trouble. The literal image is poking a bush and causing a snake to come out.
See also: やぶ蛇
余計なことを言うと、藪をつついて蛇を出すことになるよ。
If you say unnecessary things, you'll just stir up trouble for yourself.
彼はわざわざ問題を掘り返して、藪をつついて蛇を出した。
He deliberately dug up the issue and ended up poking the bush and scaring out a snake.