play havoc

play havoc with (someone or something)

To cause issues or disruptions for someone or something. The road closures have played havoc with rush-hour traffic. This humidity is going to play havoc with my hair.
See also: havoc, play

play havoc

Also, raise or wreak havoc . Disrupt, damage, or destroy something, as in The wind played havoc with her hair, or The fire alarm raised havoc with the children, or The earthquake wrought havoc in the town. The noun havoc was once used as a command for invaders to begin looting and killing, but by the 1800s the term was being used for somewhat less aggressive activities. For a synonym, see play the devil with.
See also: havoc, play
References in periodicals archive ?
Nobody would be allowed to play havoc with human lives, he said and ordered strict action against non registered medical practioners.
DQCB refers 7 cases of quacks to drug court
As humans we tend to pay the bill Nature at times can play havoc with our lives It does as it pleases without compromise Nature creates beauty as well as hell And miracles at times as well Mother Nature can make and also break Given birth this is a chance we take Nature's greatest creation is the earth And the second is of course our birth GEORGE MCLANDERS
POEM OF THE DAY
Doctor Who star Samuel Anderson, below, has told how dressing in a Cyberman costume can play havoc with bodily functions - and left him bursting for the toilet.
IN THE NEWS
QUINTON DE KOCK scored his third successive century and AB de Villiers top-scored with 109 only for rain to play havoc with the third one-day inter national between South Africa and India, which was eventually abandoned at Centurion.
Kock of the South! S AFRICA V INDIA
The turning pitches of Dhaka, Colombo, Lahore and Dubai would play havoc with the psyche of the Australian batsmen," he added.
Dean Jones says India would struggle more than Oz in away from 'home' conditions
WITH many teams still trying hard to catch up with their backlog of games, the number of surprise results continues to play havoc with teams' prospects of winning league titles.
Backlog is biting
Assuming the weather does not play havoc, punters can expect a close, attacking game and the value bet may be 9-10 that both teams score with Bet365.
Attacks may dominate; FAI CUP FINAL RTE 2, 3pm
There are fears the technological interference over a race weekend would play havoc with the controls of any aircraft.
Simon says go
These high-power cleaners can play havoc with a car's electrics while sluicing dirt out of the engine bay, and the damage could be severe enough to mean a hefty repair bill.
Pressure problems; in association with fish4 cars
Too much food or alcohol just before bedtime can play havoc with sleep patterns.
Family Life: Three ways to... Health and fitness ...get a good night's sleep
Cat, 30, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, says: "A hectic lifestyle can play havoc with what you eat.
showbiz: Cat's big breakfast
These high temperatures can play havoc with older versions of the modern burner unit (MBU) or MBUs that haven't been upgraded by MWO 7310-281-55-1.
If you can't take the heat ..
Light and air are natural incubators for mold and they play havoc with climate control.
Lilker performs a medical miracle at Long Island I-Park
Broad laughs don't only drown out wry grins, they play havoc with characterisation.
BUSHELL ON THE BOX: MEMO to Corrie
Many ice-hockey teams play on outdoor rinks, but a rule that games can't start if it is colder than minus 15 can play havoc with the schedule.
Have game, will travel: high-school sports teams in Alaska go by land, sea, and air to play ball
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