cockup

[kok-uhp]

noun

1. an upward turn or curl at the top of something.

2. a cap or hat with the front turned up.

3. British Slang.,  mess; botch.

cockup

/ ˈkɒkˌʌp /

noun

1. slang,  something done badly

verb

1. (of an animal) to raise (its ears), esp in an alert manner

2. slang,  to botch

Word History and Origins

Origin of cockup¹

First recorded in 1685–95; cock ² + up

Example Sentences

The result was an epic cockup, a pseudo-event exposed as political burlesque.

Read more on Salon

All of these segment hosts will be terrified of a similar cockup and an eternity of shame on YouTube.

Read more on The Guardian

It is a measure of the suppressed hysteria that Oscar night engenders that this egregious cockup is the subject of its very own “truther” conspiracy – a theory that it was deliberately contrived to boost ratings.

Read more on The Guardian