mix-up

[miks-uhp]

noun

1. a confused state of things; muddle; tangle.

2. a fight.

mix-up

noun

1. a confused condition or situation

2. informal,  a fight

verb

1. to make into a mixture

   to mix up ingredients

2. to confuse or confound

   Tom mixes John up with Bill

3. (often passive) to put (someone) into a state of confusion

   I'm all mixed up

4. to involve (in an activity or group, esp one that is illegal)

   why did you get mixed up in that drugs racket?

5. informal,  to fight

Word History and Origins

Origin of mix up¹

First recorded in 1835–45; noun use of verb phrase mix up

Idioms and Phrases

Confuse, confound, as in His explanation just mixed me up even more , or I always mix up the twins . [c. 1800]

Involve or implicate. This usage is usually put in the passive, as in He got mixed up with the wrong crowd . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Around City Hall, news of the council’s inaction set off speculation about whether it was the result of a scheduling mix-up — or because Southers’ backers didn’t believe he could get enough votes.

From Los Angeles Times

However, one dog fighter's IT mix-up led an undercover BBC investigation to unmask some of those involved in "one of Europe's largest dog fighting networks".

From BBC

Mr Annal said he had no idea who the person named on the address was, and has been left wondering if it was just a mix-up or even an elaborate scam.

From BBC

The mix-up came about after a packaging supplier mistakenly shipped empty Celsius cans to the vodka seltzer company High Noon, which filled them with alcohol.

From BBC

Their son Miten said the mix-up was "obviously very upsetting," even though he acknowledged that mistakes happen.

From BBC