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

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

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2021

In a competition that has been marked by relative minnows upsetting the applecart on many occasions, South Africa now face the biggest test of nerve and skill in the history of their women’s side.

From The Guardian • Nov. 30, 2018

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

He keeps upsetting the applecart and he is not a good enough player to justify it.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2013

"In other words, I could have kicked over an applecart?"

From The Best Made Plans by Dongen, H. R. van