1wreak havoc/mayhem/destruction (on something)to cause a lot of damage or problems (对某事物)造成浩劫/混乱/破坏
These policies have wreaked havoc on the British economy.
这些政策严重破坏了英国经济。
Examples from the Corpus
wreak havoc/mayhem/destruction (on something)• But we all know that a moment's overload, may wreak havoc.• The goat, being a goat, wreaks havoc, and the tenant grows desperate.• Since elk can also wreak havoc in cropland and forestryplantations, a record 70,000 animals are being culled this huntingseason.• Unassimilated, they might one day wreak havoc in her life.• This is a criticalfeature on such an instrument, as a badly cut nut here would wreak havoc on playability.• Did they hire a private eye to wreak havoc on the life of the harasser?• The stormwreaked havoc on trains and highways, making it unlikely thousands of investors and traders will arrive at work.• And they wreak havoc with the goal of raising revenue efficiently.
2wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody)formal to do something unpleasant to someone to punish them for something they have done to you (对某人)施行报复
He promised to wreak vengeance on those who had betrayed him.
他发誓要报复那些背叛他的人。
Examples from the Corpus
wreak revenge/vengeance (on somebody)• First, Burghgesh could have survived and come back to wreak vengeance.• It is hardly surprising that it should occasionally wreak vengeance on its executioner.