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upset the apple cart

VERB
balk
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disappoint stall
STRONG
baffle bar beat check circumvent counteract cramp dash defeat disconcert foil forestall frustrate hinder obstruct prevent ruin stop
WEAK
cramp one's style throw a curve throw monkey wrench in
Antonyms
STRONG
abet advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate help inspirit let go lose permit promote support surrender
WEAK
make easier
VERB
disrupt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disturb rattle
STRONG
agitate bollix confuse disarray discombobulate discompose disorder muddle rummage shake spoil throw unsettle
WEAK
mess up mix up muck up muddy the waters psych out put off rattle one's cage screw up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appease soothe
STRONG
calm clear up compose enlighten explain help order organize
WEAK
arrange ready
VERB
foil
Synonyms
STRONGEST
counter curb elude frustrate hinder nullify prevent thwart
STRONG
baffle balk beat bilk bollix buffalo check checkmate crab cramp crimp dash defeat disappoint disconcert ditch dodge duck faze juke outwit rattle restrain shake skip stop stymie
WEAK
foul up get around give the runaround give the slip hang up run circles around run rings around shake off shuffle off throw monkey wrench in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward help
STRONG
abet calm face inspirit liberate lose meet placate release soothe surrender
VERB
rock the boat
Synonyms
WEAK
cause trouble challenge the status quo complain disagree disturb disturb the balance make a stink make waves not conform object protest stir things up
VERB
spite
Synonyms
STRONG
annoy begrudge beset crab discomfit gall grudge harass harm injure needle nettle persecute pique provoke vex
WEAK
cramp style get even hang up louse up put out
Antonyms
STRONG
aid assist delight fix help make happy mend please soothe
WEAK
forgive love

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Whether you’re a young politician looking to avoid alienating your peers, or a senior representative not looking to upset the apple cart, there’s little incentive to squabble over the way things have always been done.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026

It made me realize I was still struggling with not wanting to upset the apple cart.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2024

After a journalist friend covered her protestations as a news story, Gladstone sensed that staff were unhappy that she had upset the apple cart.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2024

I recognize that you’re not “following a plan,” if you upset the apple cart and start all over again.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2022

"And you might square it, Lyddy, by saying as 'twasn't you who upset the apple cart."

From The Silent House by Fergus Hume

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