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/Sounds like "ahr" (as in "art") + "MAHR" (as in "mark") + "EHL" (as in "egg") + "dehs" (as in "debt") + "peh" (as in "pet") + "LOH" (as in "loan") + "teh" (as in "ten")/

Meaning

To cause total chaos or a spectacular mess that quickly spirals out of control. Used in Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay for both starting a conflict and creating the kind of confusion that is nearly impossible to clean up. The person who arma el despelote often has a natural talent for spectacular disorder.

Examples

He walked into the meeting and caused complete chaos in ten minutes with one comment.

Who made a total mess of the server files and didn't tell anyone?

Regional synonyms

A Spanish term for an educated young person who earns around 1,000 euros a month despite their qualifications. A key word for Spain's generation of overqualified, underpaid workers.