upset the applecart

To ruin or interfere with one's plans or goals. Look, he's not trying to upset the applecart—he just needs to meet later in the day now, that's all.

upset the apple cart

Fig. to mess up or ruin something. Tom really upset the apple cart by telling Mary the truth about Jane. I always knew he'd tell secrets and upset the apple cart.

upset the apple cart

wreck an advantageous project or disturb the status quo.

The use of a cart piled high with apples as a metaphor for a satisfactory but possibly precarious state of affairs is recorded in various expressions from the late 18th century onwards.

1996 Business Age The real test will be instability in China…Another Tiananmen Square could really upset the apple cart.

upset the/somebody’s ˈapple cart

(informal) do something that spoils a plan or stops the progress of something: Another, much cheaper hairdresser has opened next door, which has upset the apple cart.

See also: apple, cart, upset

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

New Year's Day provided little respite for Jon Whitney's Saddlers, who were tasked with attempting to curtail the Pilgrims' five-match unbeaten run but were unable to upset the apple cart at Home Park.

Little respite as Saddlers crash again

Warnock is not afraid to try to upset the apple cart and will see the trip to St James' Park as an opportunity.

BIG MATCH PREVIEW; NEWCASTLE UNITED v CARDIFF CITY

He said: "We are not expected to win a game but we have to see if we can upset the apple cart once or twice."

Giants star Ryan given green light to face England

Despite being tucked nicely in mid-table, Grayson believes Preston can upset the apple cart at Boro tomorrow - but is well aware of the Teessiders' attacking talents.

Grayson backs Preston to hold up Boro's promotion push

Looking to upset the apple cart will be Shaun Hall (Ford) making his debut in the championships together with the improving Joel Webb (Labour) plus 12-year-old Harry Watson, who shot to fame when claiming the scalp of Jonathan Taylor a few months ago.

Taylor looking to retain Liverpool Championships in absence of Ford pairing; Table Tennis

Would it have really upset the apple cart had they made an allowance on this occasion?

BABY BLUES FOR CATHERINE

Laura Marling Once I Was An Eagle BACK in 2011, the alt-folky Laura upset the apple cart when she beat Cheryl Cole to a Brit for best British female.

Albums

However, Pwllheli upset the apple cart just a minute after when from their first attack David Edwards halved the deficit with a well-struck shot.

Late goals surge sees Harbourmen through; WELSH CUP

WELSH ALLIANCE LLANBERIS upset the apple cart in the Welsh Alliance League by picking up an unexpected 2-0 win at leaders Rhydymwyn.

Rhyd slip to defeat by 'Beris

Speaking of Linda, he said: "She likes being married to me and I like being married to her-so why upset the apple cart?

Twenty years on, Jones says 'yes' over child; Music star Tom tells of illegitimate son

So I guess now was as good a time as any to upset the Apple cart.

Past differences are spiked in proposed 'Mactel' venture

Bolton, on the other hand, have been one of the most profitable sides in the Premiership for punters to follow, and I expect Big Sam's men to upset the apple cart yet again on Tyneside.

HAVE A BET WITH BOYCIE: Kop Rafa's Reds at 7/4 for the Cup; The inside track on sports betting

"Without being too harsh, when Jim Smith came in last season he kind of upset the apple cart.

FOOTBALL: LEE TAKES SWIPE AT BALD EAGLE; Smith put the spoke in City's promotion prospects, says Mills

You were his mistress for as long as you didn't upset the apple cart.

Dear Wendy: Affair with married man ended in tears