bollix

American  

[bol-iks] / ˈbɒl ɪks /

Or bolix,

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to do (something) badly; bungle (often followed byup ).

   His interference bollixed up the whole deal.

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noun

1. a confused bungle.

Etymology

Origin of bollix

First recorded in 1930–35; variant of ballocks

Example Sentences

The tendency to inject melodrama and sensationalism, to shy away from tough-mindedness and harshness, and to bollix up story lines, is a familiar one in open-ended adaptations of self-contained, literary novels; it almost seems unavoidable.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2022

And then the Swedish Academy, which awards the prizes every year, had to go and bollix it up.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2018

If you make mistakes, you can bollix up other programs.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2013

Adding the worker aid to the bill “has done nothing but bollix up the process,” Hatch said earlier.

From BusinessWeek • Jun. 30, 2011

A few disciplined individuals can completely bollix up the Senate.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2011