applecart

American  

[ap-uhl-kahrt] / ˈæp əlˌkɑrt /

noun

1. a pushcart used by a vendor of apples.

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idioms

1. upset the / someone's applecart, to ruin plans or arrangements; spoil something.

   He was making a fantastic profit until a competitor upset the applecart by cutting prices.

applecart British  

/ ˈæpəlˌkɑːt /

noun

1. a cart or barrow from which apples and other fruit are sold in the street

2. to spoil plans or arrangements

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Etymology

Origin of applecart

First recorded in 1780–90; apple + cart

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

applecart

“A Fed hike could upset the applecart in a major way, sucking a lot of capital into the U.S.,” he says.

From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026

But Hearts have upset the applecart this season and Edinburgh's surprise long-time leaders open their post-split schedule with their derby away to Hibernian on Sunday, 26 April.

From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026

From applecart and biodiversity to xeriscaping and zucchini, this delightfully readable resource is filled with hope.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 11, 2021

Bruce had been using comedy to upset the applecart since his days as a teenage sailor during the Second World War.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2015

Just as I get right into the swing of your hifalutin ways, I go and upset the applecart!

From Patty and Azalea by Carolyn Wells