snake pit

(noun) any place of pain and turmoil. Synonyms: hell, hell on earth, hellhole, snake pit, the pits, inferno. Examples: "The hell of battle." "The inferno of the engine room." "When you're alone christmas is the pits";."

(noun) pejorative terms for an insane asylum. Synonyms: Bedlam, booby hatch, crazy house, cuckoo's nest, funny farm, funny house, loony bin, madhouse, nut house, nuthouse, sanatorium, snake pit.