mess-up

[ mes-uhp ]
/ ˈmɛsˌʌp /

noun

a blunder; state of confusion; mix-up.

Origin of mess-up

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

Definition for mess up (2 of 2)

Origin of mess

1250–1300; Middle English mes < Old French: a course at a meal < Late Latin missus what is sent (i.e., put on the table), noun use of past participle of Latin mittere to send

British Dictionary definitions for mess up

mess
/ (mɛs) /

noun

verb

Word Origin for mess

C13: from Old French mes dish of food, from Late Latin missus course (at table), from Latin mittere to send forth, set out

Idioms and Phrases with mess up (1 of 2)

mess up

1

Create disorder in; muddle or ruin. For example, On rainy days the children really mess up the house, or He had a way of messing up his own business. [c. 1900]

2

Make a mistake, especially from nervousness or confusion, as in He messed up and took the wrong dossier to the meeting, or Jill swore she would never mess up again. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

3

Beat up, manhandle, as in Joe got messed up in a barroom brawl. [Slang; early 1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with mess up (2 of 2)

mess