Definition of "mess up" in Anglais

Verb

1. To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss.

   • The afternoon breeze messed up my hair.

2. To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.

   • The change messed something up, and it's not working anymore.

3. To botch, bungle; to perform poorly on.

   • Well, I messed up my solo, but otherwise it was a good concert.

4. To make a mistake; to do something incorrectly; to perform poorly.

   • He has a hard time getting started because he's afraid he'll mess up.
   • She messed up on her final exam.

5. To cause (another person) to make unwanted mistakes in a given task, usually through distraction or obnoxious behavior.

   • Stop bumping me! You keep messing me up!

6. To damage; injure.

   • He messed up his elbow at the track meet.

7. To manhandle; beat up; rough up.

   • Her brother's friends messed him up a little after he cheated on her.

8. To discombobulate, utterly confuse, or confound psychologically; to throw into a state of mental disarray.

   • That girl totally messed me up, man. I'm not sure who I am anymore.