upset the applecart

Idioms and Phrases

Spoil carefully laid plans, as in Now don't upset the applecart by revealing where we're going . This expression started out as upset the cart , used since Roman times to mean “spoil everything.” The precise idiom dates from the late 1700s.

Example Sentences

They will be loath to upset the applecart while there is a chance of getting organised, cohesive Labour backing behind a Commons vote which could achieve that - and they will be looking to the forthcoming party conference to see if party policy will change, perhaps on the back of union votes.

From BBC

We’ll upset the applecart,’ ” Trump said.

From Washington Post

You get that constant monotone voice: everyone hits a great shot, nobody has an opinion, nobody wants to upset the applecart, and everyone’s got the greatest short game in the world.

From Golf Digest

The US central bank is keen not to upset the applecart but seems to have done so anyway.

From The Guardian

Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley, who has been struggling in the polls with the rise of Sanders, insisted he still had a chance to “upset the applecart” in Iowa.

From The Guardian