mix up

To mistake one person or thing for another, or put things in the wrong order.

• I often mix up their names.
• She mixed me up with my brother.
• Have you mixed up the dates again?

How to use it: mix someone/something up with someone/something (I mixed her up with her sister.); mix up A and B (He mixed up Monday and Tuesday.)

Similar words: confuse, mistake

Opposites: distinguish

Common phrases: mix up names, mix someone up

To become involved with people or activities, often ones that cause trouble.

• He got mixed up with a gang.
• She was mixed up with a man who lied to her.
• How did you get mixed up in their troubles?

How to use it: get mixed up with someone (He got mixed up with some dishonest people.); get mixed up in something (She got mixed up in a family argument.)

Similar words: get involved, become involved

Common phrases: get mixed up, be mixed up

To stir different substances together until they are fully combined.

• Mix up the ingredients in a bowl.
• She mixed the soil up with some compost.
• Have you mixed up the two colours yet?

How to use it: mix something up (Mix the flour and butter up in a bowl.)

Similar words: mix, blend, combine

Opposites: separate

Common phrases: mix up ingredients, mix something up, mix up together, mix up flavours

To make something by combining its ingredients.

• I will mix up some batter.
• She mixed up a drink for each guest.
• Can you mix up a salad dressing?

How to use it: mix up something (He mixed up a batch of pancake batter.)

Similar words: prepare, make

Common phrases: mix up batter, mix up something

To change the order or arrangement of things so they are no longer organised.

• Mix up the cards first.
• He mixed up the puzzle pieces on the table.
• Can you mix the letters up to make a new word?

How to use it: mix something up (Mix the cards up before dealing them.)

Similar words: shuffle, scramble

Opposites: sort, arrange

Common phrases: mix up cards, mix something up

A mistake caused by confusing people or things, or putting them in the wrong order.

• There was a mix up with our tickets.
• A mix up at the hotel left us without a room.
• Who caused the mix up over the delivery address?

Similar words: mistake, confusion, error

Common phrases: a booking mix up, a mix up

A combination of different kinds of things or people.

• The group had an interesting mix up of ages.
• We enjoyed the mix up of musical styles.
• Their new team has a different mix up of skills.

Similar words: mix, blend, mixture

Common phrases: a varied mix up, a different mix up