cat's cradle

Definitions

1. A children's game of forming string into various shapes around one's fingers.
   uncountable
2. Any complicated structure that appears to be without purpose.
   countable, idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“There was the a risk⟳ that my research⟳ might reveal⟳ the original, rightful owner of an instrument, which could open⟳ up a cat's cradle of restitution claims.”

CEFR level