to  play  Old Harry with  something
play
pleɪ
plei
Old
əʊld
ewld
Harry
hæri
hāri
with
wɪð
vidh
something
sʌmθɪng
samthing

Definition & Meaning of "play Old Harry with something "in English

to play old harry with something
01

to make problems for something or have a negative effect on it 

to [play] Old Harry with {sth} definition and meaning
Idiom
Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "play Old Harry with something" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "play Old Harry with something" can be traced back to historical folklore and superstitions. In many cultures, "Old Harry" is a colloquial term used to refer to the devil or a mischievous, disruptive force. The expression likely evolved from the idea that if someone were to invite chaos or disorder into a situation, they were, in essence, inviting the mischief associated with "Old Harry. It is commonly used in discussions about mismanagement, disorganization, or chaos in various situations, such as work environments, projects, plans, or even personal matters.

Examples
The heavy rain played Old Harry with our travel plans. 
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