1
general::
Phrase(s): mess up
to make an error; to do something wrong; to flub up. • I hope I don’t mess up on the quiz. • You really messed up and now you’re in big trouble!, Phrase(s): mess someone up
Sl. to rough someone up; to beat someone up. • The robbers threatened to mess Bob up if he didn’t cooperate. • John messed up Bill a little, but no real harm was done., Phrase(s): mess something up
to make something disorderly; to create disorder in something; to throw someone’s plans awry. • You really messed this place up! • Who messed up my bed?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Create disorder in; muddle or ruin. For example, On rainy days the children really mess up the house, or He had a way of messing up his own business. [c. 1900] 2. Make a mistake, especially from nervousness or confusion, as in He messed up and took the wrong dossier to the meeting, or Jill swore she would never mess up again. [Colloquial; early 1900s] 3. Beat up, manhandle, as in Joe got messed up in a barroom brawl. [Slang; early 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms