screwed up

USAGE SUMMARY

"screwed up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can often be used to indicate that something has gone wrong, is messed up, or is messed up beyond repair. For example: "I screwed up the project and it was too late to fix it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But I screwed up.

The New York Times

Basically, I screwed up".

Independent

I screwed up.

The New York Times

"Somebody screwed up".

The New York Times

"I wouldn't be screwed up".

The New York Times

Has O'Leary screwed up?

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Sometimes I screw up.

The New York Times - Magazine

We all screw up".

The New York Times

Don't screw up".

The New York Times

If I screw up, I screw up".

The New York Times - Sports

Or screw up royally.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "screwed up" to express that something has gone wrong, especially due to mistakes or mishandling. It is best suited for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "screwed up" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "made an error" or "mishandled" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "screwed up" functions as a phrasal verb, often used as the past tense of "screw up". It's used to describe an action that has been performed incorrectly or a situation that has gone wrong. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can indicate that something has gone wrong, is messed up, or is messed up beyond repair.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "screwed up" is a common phrasal verb used to describe something that has gone wrong due to mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to indicate errors. While grammatically correct, it is considered informal and should be avoided in formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with less common usage in scientific and formal contexts. When writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "mishandled" or "made a mistake" in professional settings to maintain a formal tone. Remember the context when using "screwed up" for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

messed up

This alternative is a more general term for making a mistake or creating a problem.

fouled up

This alternative is a synonym with the original expression indicating a significant mistake.

botched

This alternative implies a clumsy or incompetent failure.

flubbed

This alternative suggests a minor error or fumble, often in a performance context.

mishandled

This alternative refers to managing something poorly, leading to a negative outcome.

blundered

This alternative suggests a gross or stupid mistake.

goofed up

This alternative suggests a silly or careless mistake.

dropped the ball

This alternative is an idiom that means to fail to do something that one is responsible for.

erred

This alternative is a more formal term for making a mistake.

made a mistake

This alternative is a straightforward and neutral way to express that an error occurred.

FAQs

What does "screwed up" mean?

The phrase "screwed up" means that something has gone wrong, been ruined, or mishandled, often due to a mistake or series of errors.

Is "screwed up" considered vulgar?

While not the most offensive term, "screwed up" is considered informal and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. Alternatives such as "messed up" or "made a mistake" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

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

You can use "screwed up" to describe a situation or action that has gone wrong, such as, "I really screwed up that presentation," or "The whole project is screwed up because of the error."

What are some less informal alternatives to "screwed up"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "mishandled", "botched", "erred", or "made an error".