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play Old Harry with (something)

play Old Harry with (something)

To ruin or cause serious damage to something; to greatly upset, disrupt, or negatively affect something; to play the devil with something ("Old Harry" being a nickname for the devil). Lack of oversight allowed overzealous investment bankers to play Old Harry with the economy. I love wine, but it plays Old Harry with my stomach!
See also: harry, old, play

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Deja-Various
Aina (1)IE-nah (Finnish, Swedish) Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Gwynedd-Welsh
Jacinthezha-SENTFrench
Milada-Czech
Mintxo-Basque
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