foul-up

[ foul-uhp ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a condition of difficulty or disorder brought on by inefficiency, stupidity, etc.
2. failure of a mechanical part to operate correctly.
3. a person who habitually makes mistakes; bungler.

foul up

verb

1. tr to bungle; mismanage
2. tr to make dirty; contaminate
3. to be or cause to be blocked, choked, or entangled

noun

1. a state of confusion or muddle caused by bungling

Word History and Origins

Origin of foul-up¹

1950–55, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase foul up

Idioms and Phrases

Blunder or cause to blunder; botch, ruin. For example, He's fouled up this report, but I think we can fix it , or Our plans were fouled up by the bad weather . This expression is widely believed to have originated as a euphemism for fuck up . [ Colloquial ; c. 1940]

Example Sentences

“Peters claims a foul up at the turning point,” said some one of the gentlemen.

From Project Gutenberg

He worked on the line next to Ernie, and had witnessed the foul-up this morning.

From Project Gutenberg

I've spent a lot of time setting things up so he could hardly help but foul up and we could bounce him, but what happens?

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm glad I didn't foul up your test completely, anyway," said Bonnie slowly.

From Project Gutenberg

It was only by the narrowest hair, but that had been enough to foul up my plans.

From Project Gutenberg