upsetting the applecart
Ruining established plans
Upsetting the applecart means disrupting a stable situation or spoiling carefully made plans.
The image is of knocking over a vendor's cart, scattering apples everywhere—a small action creating disproportionate chaos.
Someone who upsets the applecart introduces unwelcome complications: Everything was arranged until the new hire upset the applecart with her questions.
The phrase often implies the disruption, though inconvenient, may reveal problems worth addressing.
- rocking the boatCausing unwanted disruption
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
- transformationThorough change in form
- turning the tablesGaining advantage over opponent
- disturbanceDisruption of order
destabilization · opposition · stirring the pot · shift · throwing a wrench in the works · wild card · revolution · discord · upheaval · overhaul · flipping the script · changing the game · interference · interruption · reorganization · status quo · disorder · disagreement
upsetting the applecartgoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
playing it safe · toeing the line · keeping the peace · letting sleeping dogs lie · business as usual
upsetting the applecartkeeping the peace
Maintaining order and calm
pouring oil on troubled waters · going along to get along · letting sleeping dogs lie · mending fences · building bridges
upsetting the applecartconforming
Meeting accepted standards
falling in line · coloring inside the lines · rubber-stamping · acquiescing