What does the idiom wake a sleeping wolf mean?

The idiom "wake a sleeping wolf" means to stir up trouble or anger in someone who is currently peaceful or inactive. It implies that by provoking someone who is currently calm, you risk creating a dangerous and potentially uncontrollable situation.

Here are some other ways to understand the idiom:

* Don't make trouble where there is none: By waking the wolf, you create a problem that wasn't there before.

* Don't antagonize someone who is already calm: The sleeping wolf is a metaphor for someone who is currently not causing any trouble, but could easily become dangerous if provoked.

* Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie: Similar to "wake a sleeping wolf," this idiom suggests that it's wiser to avoid unnecessary conflict and leave things as they are.

Examples:

* "I knew I shouldn't have brought up the issue of the budget cuts, but I couldn't resist. Now I've woken a sleeping wolf."

* "The boss is in a good mood today, so let's not wake a sleeping wolf by asking for a raise."

* "By accusing her of lying, you've woken a sleeping wolf. Now she's ready to fight back."