mess-up

[ mes-uhp ]

/ ˈmɛsˌʌp /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for mess-up on Thesaurus.com

noun

a blunder; state of confusion; mix-up.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mess-up

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase mess up

Words nearby mess-up

messman, messmate, messroom, Messrs., messuage, mess-up, mess with, messy, mestee, mester, mestiza

How to use mess-up in a sentence

It frustrated me that men could mess up a design project and still have a job.
The Most Inspiring Bits of Temple Grandin’s Reddit AMA|Emily Shire|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many more folks are inclined to chalk this mess up to a congressional hissy fit than a presidential one.
America’s Women Hate the Government Shutdown, Blame Republicans|Michelle Cottle|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Among the litany of things the shutdown will mess up, you can add our nascent housing recovery.
Government Shutdown Could Slow Housing Recovery|CNBC|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I do feel under some pressure,” she answered, “not to mess up.
Lynn Sherr: Sally Ride’s Heroic and Trailblazing Life as an Astronaut|Lynn Sherr|July 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST

They know that if they mess up, I will enter with full force.
Inside Joran Van Der Sloot’s Prison in Peru|Andrea Zarate|December 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes Im afeard shes goin to mess up what chances of happiness shes got.
Sudden Jim|Clarence Budington Kelland
How I'd love to be given a war assignment without having to worry about you being along to probably mess up the whole business!
Dave Dawson with the Commandos|R. Sidney Bowen
Mess up this show tonight, and I'll definitely leave you behind in all doings in the future.
Dave Dawson with the Commandos|R. Sidney Bowen
Nice old mess-up it might have been, but for me, reflected Stuart complacently.
Twos and Threes|G. B. Stern
There was no longer any doubt that Alma Dakin was in this mess up to her bangs.
Twelve Times Zero|Howard Carleton Browne

Other Idioms and Phrases with mess-up

mess up

Create disorder in; muddle or ruin. For example, On rainy days the children really mess up the house, or He had a way of messing up his own business. [c. 1900]

Make a mistake, especially from nervousness or confusion, as in He messed up and took the wrong dossier to the meeting, or Jill swore she would never mess up again. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

Beat up, manhandle, as in Joe got messed up in a barroom brawl. [Slang; early 1900s]