goof-up

or goof·up

[ goof-uhp ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a person who habitually makes mistakes, spoils things, gets into trouble, etc., especially through carelessness or irresponsibility.
2. a mistake, blunder, malfunction, or the like.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goof-up¹

First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase goof up

Idioms and Phrases

Blunder, make a mistake, spoil. For example, I really goofed up and got all the dates wrong . This expression emerged in the military during World War II, along with the synonymous goof off . Quite often up is omitted, as in Sorry, I goofed . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Example Sentences

It’s not hard to imagine a downward spiral where less experienced workers goof up an election, causing further doubts about the results and resulting in even more threats of violence, which causes yet another mass exit of election workers.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let’s hope I don’t goof up,” says Tim, comically bending his sword and shooting me a worried look.

From Literature

If they goof up, do I have recourse?

From Washington Post

"Some investors will stay loyal to Ackman, of course, because they have seen him goof up before and then buckle down and win again," University of Michigan's Gordon said.

From Reuters

I’ve never done tile work before, and I don’t want to goof up and have to rip it up.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bobble
• bumble
• bungle
• err
• flub
• fumble
• miscalculate
• mishandle
• misjudge
• mismanage
• muff
• screw up