horlicks

/ ˈhɔːlɪks /

noun

1. informal,  to make a mistake or a mess

   his boss is making a horlicks of his job

Word History and Origins

Origin of horlicks¹

C20: from Horlicks, a drink meant to induce sleep

Example Sentences

"Just to be clear, there have been media reports that M&S left the back door open... that's all Horlicks," he said adding that "the attacker only has to be lucky once".

Read more on BBC

In fact, when he popped up in his home city of Dundee in the "busy politician" outfit of hard hat and high-vis vest, he said he wouldn't quit - while also seeming to admit, rather astonishingly, that he had made a horlicks of his breakup with coalition partners the Greens.

Read more on BBC

While there was no evidence-based nutrition boost, as was the Horlicks' original intention, the candy helped further fortify a general fondness for malted milk's sweet side.

Read more on Salon

Such grains can be used in alcohol production, as with whiskey, but by grinding a barley-wheat blend then combining it with evaporated whole milk, the Horlicks concocted a more virtuous elixir.

Read more on Salon

GSK struck a deal in 2018 to fold its Indian business - whose main product is Horlicks - into Unilever’s Indian unit Hindustan Unilever in exchange for shares in the combined group.

Read more on Reuters