# play Old Harry with

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-old-harry-with
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of play the devil with.

## Examples

- The heavy rain played Old Harry with our garden plans.
- The sudden computer virus played Old Harry with our office files, causing us to lose hours of hard work.
- The unexpected economic downturn played Old Harry with the company's long-term investments, forcing the board to reconsider their entire strategy for the coming year.

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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.