ʌpˈset ði ˈæplkɑːrt
Food & Cooking
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- Tipping over a cart of apples
What does "upset the applecart" mean?
- To disrupt plans or arrangements
- To cause trouble by changing something
Examples
- I don't want to upset the applecart by bringing this up.
- His resignation upset the applecart.
- Let's not upset the applecart with last-minute changes.
Origin
From the chaos of a tipped apple cart—apples rolling everywhere. Used since the late 1700s.
How to use it
Often used as warning against disruption. Implies unnecessary trouble.
Similar expressions
disrupt
cause chaos
throw a wrench in
spoil plans
Opposites
maintain order
keep things stable
go smoothly
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "upset the applecart" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.