upset the stability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upset the stability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that disrupt or disturb a state of balance or equilibrium. Example: "The sudden influx of new regulations could upset the stability of the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The lesson is whatever you do, you do it in private and you don't let rivalries upset the stability of the family's rule," argues a former diplomat.

The Guardian

The second is to do nothing in Saudi Arabia's backyard that would upset the stability of the US's real military ally in Riyadh.

The Guardian - Opinion

Beijing will denounce such moves as provocative, but it is China's actions that currently threaten to upset the stability of Asia.

The New York Times

It is the role of the sovereign to secure legal order, rather than to be measured by it; in killing the sovereign, we potentially upset the stability of legal order as such.

The New York Times

Earlier in the day, Mr. Lazio, in campaign stops that focused on an appeal to Jewish voters, declared directly that he did not believe in the creation of a Palestinian state, suggesting that it would not endure and would upset the stability of the region.

The New York Times

We surmise that the extremely large density gradient as characterized by the ionospheric hole, together with the potentially survived eastward polarization electric field, could be intense enough to upset the stability of the normal daytime ionosphere, thereby leading to the accelerated growth of F-region irregularities that promptly followed, as observed by the Fuke radar.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Killing wolves indiscriminately at levels sufficient to suppress populations disrupts pack social structure and upsets the stability of established territories, allowing more wolves to breed while promoting the immigration of wolves from nearby populations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Religious authority was so strong and its belief in the maintenance of order so fundamental that the church directed people to accept the inequities of power, instead of upsetting the stability of society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Opponents of the president said his tougher tone could upset the tenuous stability in cross-strait relations that he has achieved.

The New York Times

Forcing the Kurds to back down, he wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, "will likely require the expenditure of significant political capital on our part" and "also surely upset the political stability we have enjoyed thus far in northern Iraq".

The New York Times

Refugee flows and violence would upset the tenuous stability in Chad, Uganda, Kenya, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia - and gravely harm Egypt's national security.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upset the stability", consider the specific context. This phrase is suitable for formal writing where a disruption of balance is being discussed, such as in political science, economics, or ecology. Use more colloquial alternatives like "rock the boat" in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "upset the stability" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler and more direct language, such as "disrupt" or "unbalance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upset the stability" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting upon a noun phrase. It indicates an action that disrupts or disturbs an existing stable state. Ludwig AI identifies examples where the phrase is used to describe disturbances in political, social, and environmental contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upset the stability" is a phrase used to describe the disruption of a balanced state. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts, but it can also appear in scientific or academic discussions. While its meaning is clear, it's important to consider the register when using it; simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase conveys a sense of disruption and potential negative consequences, making it suitable for analytical and warning contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupt the balance

Focuses on disrupting a state of equilibrium, similar to upsetting stability.

destabilize the situation

Emphasizes making a situation less stable.

undermine the equilibrium

Highlights weakening the state of balance.

threaten the steadiness

Puts emphasis on the threat to an unshakable condition.

shake the foundations

Implies a significant disturbance to the underlying structure.

derange the order

Highlights a disturbance to an ordered structure.

compromise the security

Indicates weakening the state of security.

disturb the peace

Focuses on disrupting a state of calmness.

jeopardize the harmony

Stresses a risk to the state of harmony.

rock the boat

An idiomatic expression indicating the disruption of a stable situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "upset the stability" of something?

To "upset the stability" means to disrupt the balance or equilibrium of a system, situation, or environment. This can lead to unpredictable or undesirable outcomes.

How can I use "upset the stability" in a sentence?

You can use "upset the stability" to describe actions that disrupt a balanced state. For example: "The new regulations could "disrupt the balance" of the market".

What are some alternatives to "upset the stability"?

Alternatives include "disrupt the balance", "destabilize the situation", or "undermine the equilibrium". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "upset the stability" formal or informal language?

"Upset the stability" is generally considered formal language, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "rock the boat".