stuff up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stuff up" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to causing a mistake, making a mess of something, or failing to do something. Example: I managed to stuff up my cash register calculations and now I owe the store money.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Blowing stuff up?

The New York Times

I'm not making this stuff up".

The New York Times

Was Franklin simply making this stuff up?

The New York Times - Books

"Models mix stuff up," she said.

The New York Times

"We can clean some stuff up".

The New York Times - Sports

Just makes stuff up on the fly.

The New York Times

See, he makes stuff up, too!

The New York Times

Sitting around, making stuff up?

The Guardian - Books

You really couldn't make this stuff up".

The New York Times

"I'm packing this stuff up," he says.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was her stuff-up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to physical blockages, specify what is being "stuffed up" (e.g., "My nose is stuffed up").

Common error

Avoid using "stuff up" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more appropriate alternatives like "fail", "err", or "make a mistake" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "stuff up" functions primarily as a verb expressing an action that leads to a negative outcome, such as making a mistake or causing a failure. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and utility of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stuff up" is a common phrasal verb used to describe making a mistake, ruining something, or causing a blockage. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in informal contexts. While it's acceptable in casual conversation, it's best to avoid using "stuff up" in more formal or professional settings, where alternatives like "mess up", "fail", or "err" would be more appropriate. It’s used primarily in News & Media. Remember to be mindful of your audience and context when choosing whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mess up

Indicates a failure or mistake, often with less severity than "stuff up".

make a mess of

To do something badly or inefficiently, causing problems or disorder.

screw up

Similar to "mess up" but often considered more informal and potentially offensive.

botch up

Implies a clumsy or inept handling of a task, leading to a poor result.

foul up

Suggests a disruption or interference that causes a problem or failure.

make a hash of

To do something very badly; to spoil something.

louse up

To spoil something; to make a mess of something.

bungle

To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently, leading to failure.

block up

Refers specifically to causing a blockage, as in a pipe or nose.

spoil

To diminish or destroy the value or quality of something.

FAQs

What does "stuff up" mean?

The phrasal verb "stuff up" generally means to make a mistake, ruin something, or cause a blockage. The exact meaning depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "stuff up"?

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

Is it correct to say "stuffed up"?

Yes, "stuffed up" is the past tense and past participle of "stuff up". It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is blocked (e.g., "a stuffed up nose").

When is it appropriate to use "stuff up"?

It's appropriate to use "stuff up" in informal conversations or writing. Avoid it in formal or professional settings where more precise language is preferred.