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. foll byin or with; usually passive to involve (in an activity or group, esp one that is illegal)

   why did you get mixed up in that drugs racket?

5. mix it up informal.
   to fight

Word History and Origins

Origin of mix-up¹

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

Example Sentences

Their DNA gets mixed up when different pairs of animals have babies.

From NewsForKids.net

The source of the threat may have gotten their addresses mixed up — ballot processing centers have been the targets of a number of recent bomb threats, but the one for L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

“The children become very emotionally mixed up,” says Sir Andrew McFarlane, the head of the Family Court in England and Wales.

From BBC

Amy, talking about a bag containing a mix of cheaper sweets, insists: "It's the only place round here you can get a proper good mix up."

From BBC

Trump has mixed up words, names, places and timelines in his remarks on the campaign trail and in interviews, and routinely goes on strange tangents in the midst of longer and longer stump speeches.

From Los Angeles Times