# play merry havoc with

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-merry-havoc-with
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of play the devil with.

## Examples

- The heavy rain played merry havoc with our garden plans.
- The sudden power outage played merry havoc with the office schedule, forcing us to delay the meeting until tomorrow.
- The unexpected arrival of the storm played merry havoc with the delicate logistics of the outdoor festival, ruining months of careful preparation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.