mess up

To make something go wrong or stop working properly.

• Do not mess up my plans.
• The update messed up my computer.
• Have I messed everything up?

How to use it: mess something up (Changing that setting could mess the system up.)

Similar words: spoil, ruin

Opposites: fix

Common phrases: mess up something, mess up plans, mess up settings

To make a mistake or fail to do something well.

• Everyone can mess up sometimes.
• I messed up and missed the deadline.
• What if I mess up during the interview?

Similar words: make a mistake, get it wrong

Common phrases: mess up again, mess up badly, mess up sometimes

To make something dirty, untidy, or no longer neatly arranged.

• Do not mess up my room.
• The rain messed up her hair.
• Who has messed the clean kitchen up?

How to use it: mess something up (The wind messed my hair up.)

Similar words: mess, make a mess of, dirty

Opposites: tidy, clean

Common phrases: mess up hair, mess up something, mess up clothes

To do a particular task badly or incorrectly.

• Do not mess up the test.
• She messed up her first interview.
• I always mess up this dance.

How to use it: mess something up (I was nervous and messed my speech up.)

Similar words: botch, bungle

Common phrases: mess up something, mess up a test, mess up a speech

To make someone make mistakes by interrupting or distracting them.

• Stop talking; you mess me up.
• The loud music messed her up while she counted.
• Did my questions mess you up?

How to use it: mess someone up (Your shouting is messing me up.)

Similar words: distract, put off

Common phrases: mess someone up, mess up someone

To hurt a person or damage a part of their body.

• A fall can mess up your knee.
• He messed up his ankle playing football.
• The crash messed her up badly.

How to use it: mess something up (That fall messed my shoulder up.)

Similar words: injure, hurt, damage

Common phrases: mess someone up, mess up an ankle, mess up a knee