upset the applecart
Ruin careful arrangements
To upset the applecart is to disrupt a stable situation or spoil carefully laid plans.
The image is of toppling a cart and scattering its contents—order turned to chaos.
Everything was going smoothly until the new regulations upset the applecart.
The phrase often implies that the disruption, though unwelcome, exposes something precarious about the original arrangement.
- dislocateShift from proper position
- make wavesCause a disturbance
- cause a stirCreate noticeable commotion
- sinkBasin with drain
- disorderAbsence of organization
stir the pot · ruffle feathers · turn the tables · rock the boat · ruin · spoil · rain on someone's parade · break the mold · disrupt · shake up · sabotage · disconcert · foil · thwart · derail · disturb · unsettle · throw a wrench in the works
upset the applecartleave well enough alone
Avoid unnecessary interference
steady the ship · keep the peace · go with the flow · play it safe · stabilize
upset the applecartlet sleeping dogs lie
Avoid rekindling dormant issues
leave well enough alone · stay the course · toe the line · play it safe · business as usual
upset the applecartmind one's own business
Refrain from prying
go with the flow · play along · cooperate · fall in line · keep one's head down
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