藪やぶをつついて蛇へびを出だす

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: 藪蛇

• 余よ計けいなことを言いうと、藪やぶをつついて蛇へびを出だすことになるよ。

  If you say unnecessary things, you'll just stir up trouble for yourself.

• 彼かれはわざわざ問もん題だいを掘ほり返かえして、藪やぶをつついて蛇へびを出だした。

  He deliberately dug up the issue and ended up poking the bush and scaring out a snake.