(one's) whole world was turned upside down

(one's) whole world was turned upside down

One's entire outlook, circumstances, or lifestyle were affected or altered (by some event), usually negatively. When I was rejected by the university that was my top choice, my whole world was turned upside down. Lena's whole world was turned upside down when her mom died, and it took a long time for her to find her way again.See also: down, turn, upside, whole, world