play havoc

Idioms and Phrases

Also, raise or wreak havoc . Disrupt, damage, or destroy something, as in The wind played havoc with her hair , or The fire alarm raised havoc with the children , or The earthquake wrought havoc in the town . The noun havoc was once used as a command for invaders to begin looting and killing, but by the 1800s the term was being used for somewhat less aggressive activities. For a synonym, see play the devil with .

Example Sentences

Official motorcades will no longer play havoc with traffic as road closures are minimized.

From The Daily Beast

He arrives at the beaver-lodges, and, I warrant, will soon play havoc among the inmates.

From Project Gutenberg

All is clear ahead, for if any of those ugly seas were to break on board, it might play havoc with the barky.

From Project Gutenberg

While the advance of time was affecting Bettesworth himself, another influence had begun to play havoc with his environment.

From Project Gutenberg

No sooner is she gone than the statues come to life, sing, dance, jump and play havoc in general.

From Project Gutenberg

These difficulties, when they are deeply rooted, and especially when they are unrecognized, play havoc in marital adjustment.

From Project Gutenberg