mess it up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mess it up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe making a mistake or causing something to be disorganized or incorrect. Example: "I really hope I don't mess it up during the presentation tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't mess it up.

The New Yorker

Let's not mess it up.

The New York Times

I just mess it up sometimes.

The New York Times - Sports

I was loath to mess it up.

The New York Times - Food

Eventually, they would mess it up.

The New York Times - Sports

Seriously, how could you mess it up?

The New York Times

So don't mess it up".

The Guardian - Books

He's not going to mess it up.

Independent

I'm not going to mess it up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Don't mess it up for everyone else".

The New York Times

No one wants to mess it up.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mess it up" in informal contexts when you want to express concern about making a mistake that will negatively impact a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "mess it up" in formal writing or professional settings where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for terms like "compromise", "impair", or "undermine" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mess it up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of performing something poorly or making mistakes, often leading to a negative outcome, as shown in numerous examples analyzed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

18%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mess it up" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to express the possibility or actuality of making a mistake. According to Ludwig, it's widely used in informal contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as sports-related content. While generally accepted, it is advisable to use more formal language in professional or academic settings. Related phrases include "screw it up" and "botch it", though these carry different connotations and levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

screw it up

More informal and slightly stronger in tone than "mess it up".

botch it

Implies a clumsy or unskilled failure.

foul it up

Similar to "screw it up" but less common.

bungle it

Suggests incompetence or lack of skill.

spoil it

Focuses on ruining something that was good.

ruin it

Indicates a more severe level of damage or failure.

make a mess of it

More descriptive, emphasizing the chaotic result.

drop the ball

Idiomatic expression meaning to fail at a task or responsibility.

make a hash of it

British English, meaning to do something very badly.

flub it

Suggests a minor mistake or stumble.

FAQs

How can I use "mess it up" in a sentence?

You can use "mess it up" to express concern about making a mistake, such as, "I hope I don't "mess it up" during the presentation" or "Don't "mess it up" for everyone else."

What are some alternatives to "mess it up"?

Alternatives include "screw it up", "botch it", "ruin it", or "spoil it", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "mess it up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "mess it up" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. It's commonly used in spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "mess it up" and "ruin it"?

"Mess it up" generally implies a less severe outcome than "ruin it". "Ruin it" suggests a complete or near-complete destruction or failure, while "mess it up" suggests a mistake that could be recoverable or less significant. For example "I don't want to "mess it up"" compared to "I don't want to "ruin it"".