upheaval

Everyday

1. An upheaval is a big, sudden change that causes confusion, disorder or worry, like moving house or a war. tree →
2. (geology) An upheaval is a strong upward movement of the Earth's crust that pushes up land or rocks. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday and family life: moving house, changing schools, a new baby or divorce can cause upheaval. In history: revolutions and wars are political upheavals. In geography and science: mountains formed by upheavals in the Earth's crust. Phrases: «a time of upheaval», «great upheaval».

Examples

• Moving to a new country was a big upheaval. tree →
• The war brought great upheaval to the town. tree →
• Building work caused upheaval in our kitchen for weeks. tree →
• The Industrial Revolution was a time of upheaval. tree →
• Mountains were formed by upheavals of the Earth's crust. tree →
• A new school can be an upheaval, but it gets easier. tree →

Note

Can be countable («an upheaval») or uncountable («a lot of upheaval»). From «heave», to lift with effort. Pronounced «up-HEE-val».