Phrase guide

mare's nest

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈmɛːz nɛst/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A great discovery which turns out to be illusory; especially, a hoax.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: bullshit, horseshit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bullshit, horseshit

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A confused or complicated situation; a muddle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rat's nest

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a confused multitude of things

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clutter, jumble, muddle, fuddle, welter, smother

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: disorderliness, disorder

Narrower terms: rummage

History

Etymology

Alteration of earlier horse's nest, from the fanciful and unlikely notion that horses make nests.