muck up

USAGE SUMMARY

"muck up" is a commonly used phrase in spoken and written English.
It means to mess something up or to make a mistake. It is often used in informal situations. Example: "I was feeling nervous during the presentation and ended up mucking up my lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They also muck up their chance.

The Guardian - Sport

"If I muck up, it's not intentional".

The Guardian - Tech

He may not have formal powers to muck up the Czech presidency.

The Economist

To muck up two looks like carelessness.Polling is in trouble, and not just exit polling.

The Economist

Delpy is not one to muck up whimsy and nuance with a tight string tie.

The New Yorker

£4.50 It takes a special kind of moron to muck up a cheese toastie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The luck of the Irish just might muck up the title picture.

The New York Times - Sports

I was told that I shouldn't give anyone medication, because it would muck up transference.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

England have become the masters of the final Test muck-up.

Independent

The muck-up will not be the last unless households get better at recycling.

The Economist

A Euro-Med muck-up Still the best of friends in the Franco-German motor?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "muck up" in informal contexts where a less formal tone is appropriate. It's suitable for everyday conversations and casual writing.

Common error

Avoid using "muck up" in formal or professional documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "spoil", "damage", or "impair" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "muck up" primarily functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action that results in something being ruined or spoiled. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing unintended negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "muck up" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of ruining something unintentionally. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in informal settings. While it appears across various domains, including news and media, it is more appropriate for casual conversations than formal writing. If you're looking for alternatives, consider "mess up", "screw up", or "botch", but remember to adjust your language based on the context to maintain an appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mess up

Direct synonym with similar connotations.

screw up

Another synonym, often used more strongly than "muck up".

botch

Implies a clumsy or inept job.

bungle

Similar to "botch", suggesting incompetence.

make a mess of

More descriptive, emphasizing the resulting disarray.

foul up

Similar to "mess up", suggesting interference.

spoil

Focuses on ruining something that was previously good.

flub

To perform poorly or make a mistake.

err

A more formal way to say make a mistake.

mismanage

Implies poor handling or administration.

FAQs

What does "muck up" mean?

The phrase "muck up" means to ruin something unintentionally or to make a mess of it. It often implies carelessness or incompetence.

How can I use "muck up" in a sentence?

You might say, "I hope I don't "muck up" the presentation" or "The rain really mucked up our picnic plans".

What can I say instead of "muck up"?

You can use alternatives like "mess up", "screw up", or "botch" depending on the context.

Is "muck up" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "muck up" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, use more appropriate alternatives such as "damage", "impair", or "spoil".