upset the pot
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To beat the favourite in a race.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Your horse Prince Henry, the fellow that nearly upset the pot at Kempton, was well in the Lincoln Handicap.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “upset the pot” mean?
To beat the favourite in a race.
Is “upset the pot” formal or informal?
upset the pot is generally slang.