héng​shēng​zhī​jié

create complications; side issues crop up

Senses

横生枝节/ 橫生枝節 héng​shēng​zhī​jié create complications; side issues crop up

To have unexpected or deliberate side issues crop up, interfering with the smooth resolution of the main matter

References

synonym 节上生枝/節上生枝 横生枝节/橫生枝節