mess-upn.
/ˈmɛsʌp/, U.S. /ˈmɛsˌəp/ colloquial.
The action of ruining an undertaking by blundering or making a mistake; an instance of this, a botched job. Also: a state of disorder or confusion, a muddle. Cf. cock-up n.1 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun] > a state of confused disorder
feery-fary1535
puddle1587
bauchle1600
vertigo1702
whemmel1817
mull1821
mix-up1841
scrimmage1852
embroilment1856
hash-up1860
brangle1865
mucker1867
unplight1876
car wreck1877
mix1882
mess-up1902
stirabout1905
pot mess1914
boorach1928
balls-up1929
muck-up1930
balls1938
box1941
Chinese fire drill1943
snafu1943
foul-up1944
screw-up1950
snarl-up1960
tiswas1960
bumble-bath1965
clusterfuck1969
headfuck1983
car crash1992
katogo1994
dumpster fire2008
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [noun] > unskilful action or working > a bungle
miscarriage1590
bungle1656
bumble1823
boggle1834
muff1867
car wreck1877
mismove1877
miscue1882
muddle1884
bobble1887
mess-up1902
floater1913
bollock1919
fluff1928
balls-up1929
muck-up1930
balls1938
snafu1943
foul-up1944
fuck-up1949
clusterfuck1969
car crash1992
dumpster fire2008
omnishambles2009
1902 C. J. C. Hyne Mr. Horrocks, Purser 111 I should say he feels this mess-up more than any of us.
1929 Star 21 Aug. 12/3 I am afraid there has been a bit of a mess-up.
1948 W. Hatfield Barrier Reef Days 66 What a mess-up things would be if we couldn't put a thing down and turn our backs without somebody bower-birding it.
1957 F. Kohner Gidget 136 I looked for my skirt and blouse but couldn't find them in that crazy mess-up.
1991 Maclean's 17 June 16/1 Blaming civil servants for your mess-ups is the most cowardly form of politics.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1902