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mess up — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
mess up
1make a mistake2make untidy3emotionally disturb

Meaning 1 · most common

make a mistake

  • mess sth up
  • informal

To do something incorrectly or make a mistake that causes a problem.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I really messed up my presentation by forgetting my notes.

A: Did you finish the report?
B: I tried, but I messed up the numbers and have to start over.

Common mistake

Not: I really messed it.

Say: I really messed it up.

'Mess up' is separable but you can't drop 'up' — bare 'mess it' isn't English here.

More on “make a mistake”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Honestly, I messed up my first driving test because I was too nervous.

Tell it apart

I messed up the recipe.

  • did it wrong

I messed up the kitchen.

  • made it untidy

Goes with

  • mess up + task
Practice saying this
Next meaning: make untidy

Meaning 2

make untidy

  • mess sth up
  • informal

To make something disorganized or dirty; to make a place or thing messy.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The kids messed up the living room with their toys.

A: Who messed up the kitchen?
B: Sorry, I was baking and things got a bit out of hand.

Common mistake

Not: Don't mess up with my desk.

Say: Don't mess up my desk.

'Mess up' + the place (no 'with'). ('Mess with' = interfere — a different meaning.)

More on “make untidy”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I share a room with my brother, he always messes up my side and it drives me crazy.

Tell it apart

You've messed up the room.

  • made it untidy

You've tidied up the room.

  • put it in order

Goes with

  • mess up + place/thing
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Next meaning: emotionally disturb

Meaning 3

emotionally disturb

  • mess sb up
  • informal

To cause someone emotional or psychological harm, distress, or long-term difficulties, often as a result of a traumatic or negative experience.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The constant criticism from her parents really messed her up as a teenager.

A: Why is Tom so withdrawn these days?
B: I think losing his job really messed him up.

Common mistake

Not: The accident messed up him for years.

Say: The accident messed him up for years.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'messed him up'.

More on “emotionally disturb”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some experts argue that exposure to violence at a young age can seriously mess children up, leading to long-term psychological issues.

Tell it apart

Losing his dad young really messed him up.

  • damaged him emotionally

He messed up the presentation.

  • did it badly

Goes with

  • mess + someone + up
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make a mistakemake untidyemotionally disturb