mess up

  • (verb): To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss.
  • (verb): To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.
  • (verb): To botch, bungle; to perform poorly on.
  • (verb): To make a mistake; to do something incorrectly; to perform poorly.
  • (verb): To cause (another person) to make unwanted mistakes in a given task, usually through distraction or obnoxious behavior.
  • (verb): To damage; injure.
  • (verb): To manhandle; beat up; rough up.
  • (verb): To discombobulate, utterly confuse, or confound psychologically; to throw into a state of mental disarray.
  • The afternoon breeze messed up my hair.
  • The change messed something up, and it's not working anymore.
  • Well, I messed up my solo, but otherwise it was a good concert.
  • He has a hard time getting started because he's afraid he'll mess up.
  • Stop bumping me! You keep messing me up!