The phrase "snake pit" is used to describe a chaotic or dangerous situation, often involving lots of conflicts and unpleasant behavior. Full definition
No way was I getting into that fiscal snake pit! (sciencemag.org)
One of the black smokers at Snake Pit was named Saracen's Head, after one scientist's favorite British pub. (courseworld.com)
Twisted music box bells and tick - tock percussion also get across a political snake pit of cutthroats, while wistful, and sometimes brooding strings become Sarkovsky's strained marriage — all giving melodic depth to «The Conquest's» loopy humor. (filmmusicmag.com)