What does the idiom upset the applecart mean?
5 min read
Asked by: Lisa Avery
spoil everythingSpoil 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.
What does applecart mean?
Definition of applecart
: a plan, system, situation, or undertaking that may be disrupted or terminated upset the applecart.
How do you use upset the apple-cart in a sentence?
a handcart from which apples and other fruit are sold in the street.
- Don’t upset the apple-cart.
- Her refusal to help quite upset the applecart.
- All this has upset the applecart of the relation of fertility to prosperity.
- Tom upset the other team’s applecart by hitting a home run in the last inning and we won the game.
Who said Don’t upset the apple-cart?
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Don’t upset the apple-cart’? This allusory phrase is first recorded by Jeremy Belknap in The History of New Hampshire, 1788: “Adams had almost overset the apple-cart by intruding an amendment of his own fabrication on the morning of the day of ratification” [of the Constitution].
What does back against the wall mean?
: in a bad position in which one is forced to do something in order to avoid failure We knew that with so little time and money left to finish the project we had our backs to the wall.
Is applecart one word?
a pushcart used by a vendor of apples.
How do you hit the sack?
You use the phrase ‘Hit the Sack’ to indicate that it’s time to go to bed. Example of use: “I’ve got to get up early tomorrow, so I’m going to hit the sack.”
What does it mean to mince words?
: to speak in a very direct and honest way without worrying about offending someone She minces no words in stating her opinions.
What is the meaning of the idiom to lead to the altar?
to ultimately lead to marriage
Definition of lead to the altar
: to ultimately lead to marriage They started a romance that eventually led (them) to the altar.
What is the meaning of the idiom miss the boat?
Fail to take advantage of an opportunity, as in Jean missed the boat on that club membership. This expression, which alludes to not being in time to catch a boat, has been applied more widely since the 1920s. 2. Fail to understand something, as in I’m afraid our legislator missed the boat on that amendment to the bill.
What does the saying When Pigs Fly mean?
something will never happen
Definition of when pigs fly
—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.
What does spilling the beans mean?
Disclose a secret
Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
Was the last straw idiom?
Definition of the final/last straw
: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc. It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.
What if I was suicidal and that was my last straw meaning?
Last Straw Meaning
Definition: The final problem or negative event in a string of bad events that makes a person decide they can’t take any more.
What does it mean to take with a pinch of salt?
phrase. If you take something with a pinch of salt, you do not believe that it is completely accurate or true. The more miraculous parts of this account should be taken with a pinch of salt. See full dictionary entry for salt.
What is meaning at the drop of a hat?
Immediately, without delay
Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [
What is the meaning of kept a stiff upper lip?
Definition of stiff upper lip
: a steady and determined attitude or manner in the face of trouble.
What does I hit the nail on the head mean?
something that is exactly right
DEFINITION: It means “to do or say something that is exactly right.” You can use this phrase when someone finds the exact answer of a problem or a question.
What does egg on your face mean?
appearing foolish
Definition of with egg on one’s face
: appearing foolish usually because something one said would happen has not happened The unexpected election result left a lot of journalists with egg on their faces.
What does egg on your chin mean?
Meaning: To look foolish or be embarrassed. Example: Terry had egg on his face after boasting that the examinations were really easy, but ended up failing most of his papers.
What do you want egg in your beer?
Egg in beer refers to the practice, literally or figuratively, of cracking a raw egg into a glass of beer. The term is used metaphorically, commonly as “what do you want, egg in your beer?” implying that the listener already has something good but is asking for undeservedly more.
