mess-up

[ mes-uhp ]

noun

1. a blunder; state of confusion; mix-up.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mess-up¹

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

Example Sentences

“I don’t want to mess up my makeup,” said Deadwyler, wiping away tears as she spoke about the film’s acknowledgment of the pain and trauma endured by its characters, descendants of slaves living in Depression-era Pittsburgh.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you mess up a couple times, now your mind is away from the play,” he said of opponents, adding, “Now they’re focused on, ‘how am I going to get this guy back.’

From Los Angeles Times

Videos from the event show her getting flustered on stage as she appears to mess up a note.

From BBC

In an Instagram video posted on Saturday, Loomis called the incident a “mishap” and apologised to the team at Free and Equal Elections, who organised the debate, saying: "I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to mess up the national anthem."

From BBC

“But then guys like us could get into schools like Seoul National University or Yonsei University relatively easily, even if you mess up in America.”

From Los Angeles Times