Grammar fix
muddle up
confuse similar things
To confuse two people, names, or things because they are similar.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I muddled up the two appointments and arrived at the clinic on the wrong day.
I sometimes muddle up people's names when I meet several new colleagues at once, although I usually remember them after a few days.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I muddled Sarah for her sister.
Say: I muddled Sarah up with her sister. / I mistook Sarah for her sister.
'Muddle up' takes 'with' (or 'A and B'). 'For' goes with 'mistake'. Americans usually say 'mix up'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Think one person or thing is another
How formalCasualMore formal
muddle upYou're here · Especially British: confuse names, people, or similar things.
mix upConfuse two people or things with each other.mistake someone or something for anotherName both: 'I mistook her for her sister.'