Shake the apple cart

Question

What is the meaning of the phrase "Shake the apple cart"?

Answer 1

It means to destroy an established empire or business or government by misleading or defection of its people to separate diections making it in minority to fall like apples in the cart.

When you shake a cart filled with apples see what happens, the apples fall of in all directions leaving cart empty or with few.

Hope I am correct.

Answer 2

Discourages any worms from entering the fruit! They actually shake, rattle and roll right off!