English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Upset the applecart
Meaning
The idiom "upset the applecart" means to disrupt or overturn an established order or system, often causing chaos or confusion. It can also refer to a sudden and unexpected change in circumstances.
Usage
- The company's profits were upset when their new CEO decided to overhaul the entire marketing department.
- When I found out my flight was canceled, it really upset my plans for the day.
- The pandemic has upset the global economy and caused widespread job losses.
- The news that the celebrity couple had separated sent shockwaves through their fans, upsetting their applecart.
- After years of stability, the political situation in the Middle East was suddenly upset by a series of protests and uprisings. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. In some cases, it may refer to a minor disruption or change that doesn't cause significant consequences, while in others it may refer to a more severe or far-reaching disruption that has a profound impact on the system or order being disrupted.
Roots and History
The idiom "upset the applecart" is believed to have originated from the story of William Tell, a Swiss folk hero who defied the authority of the Austrian rulers in the 13th century. According to the story, Tell was sentenced to shoot an arrow into an apple on top of his son's head as punishment for refusing to bow down to the Austrian officials. He missed the target and instead shot down the apple, upsetting the applecart of the executioner. Over time, the idiom has come to be used more broadly to refer to any disruption or upheaval that causes chaos or confusion. It is believed to have become popular in English during the 18th century, when the story of William Tell was widely circulated and celebrated as an example of Swiss independence and resistance to oppression.
Synonyms in English
- Disrupt
- Overturn
- Upset the balance
- Turn the world upside down
- Throw a wrench in plans
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: "tirar la mesa al suelo" (to overturn the table)
- French: "avoir le tapis coupé" (to have the rug pulled out from under you)
- German: "die Strohlmattre nach oben zu machen" (to turn the straw mattress upside down)
- Italian: "rompere il tettoio" (to break through the roof)
- Chinese: "翻布" (to overturn or disrupt)