mix-up

[ miks-uhp ]

/ ˈmɪksˌʌp /

a confused state of things; muddle; tangle.

a fight.

Origin of mix-up

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

It's been put up to me to keep time an' referee this mix-up, and I don't want no help.

Shorty McCabe |Sewell Ford
It seems to be quite a mix-up, and I'm sorry, for I like to keep my cargo and the records of it straight.

The Boy Pilot of the Lakes |Frank V. Webster
While the mix-up was at its hottest, a low, trilling whistle sounded from Skinny Carroll's lips.

Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants |H. Irving Hancock
"Must have got his own man in the mix-up," quoth the Little Red Doctor.

Our Square and the People in It |Samuel Hopkins Adams

“Oh, we got into a mix-up with some of the cadets and fell overboard,” answered Ritter, in an off-handed manner.

The Putnam Hall Encampment |Arthur M. Winfield

mix-up

a confused condition or situation

informal a fight

to make into a mixture to mix up ingredients

to confuse or confound Tom mixes John up with Bill

(often passive) to put (someone) into a state of confusion I'm all mixed up

(foll by in 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?

mix it up US and Canadian informal to fight