Phrasal verb
mess up
Meanings
To make a mistake; to do something badly and cause a problem.
To make a place or thing messy, dirty, or untidy.
Definition
To mess up means to do something badly or make a mistake that causes problems.
To mess up means to make an error or to do a task in a way that causes a bad result. People often use it when they feel responsible for a problem or failure. It can also mean to make something physically untidy or dirty.
Examples
- I really messed up the presentation by skipping an important slide.
- You messed up the recipe when you added salt instead of sugar.
- He messed up his chances by arriving late to the interview.
- She messed up the living room when she opened the craft supplies.
- They messed up the schedule by double-booking the meeting room.
Common mistake
Learners often use "mess" instead of "mess up" when they mean making a mistake (say "I messed up" rather than "I messed").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.