# open a can of whoop ass

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/open-a-can-of-whoop-ass
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A good-humored threat of physical harm.

## Examples

- If you touch my lunch again, I will open a can of whoop ass.
- The coach told the team that if they didn't start playing harder, he would open a can of whoop ass on them.
- The veteran fighter grinned at his opponent, jokingly warning that he was about to open a can of whoop ass if the match continued.

## Origin

From English whoop (variant of whip) + ass.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.