The Greeks started making the Columns while building temples. They started with the Doric, then advanced to the Ionic and later the Corinthian Columns. These architectural designs are used widely today in the construction of storey buildings and other sructures.
It basically means to spoil carefully laid plans, For example;
"Don't upset the apple cart by revealing where we're going."
From behind the paper to see the texure
Very true the world is getting worse and worse