mess up

mess someone up

Sl. to rough someone up; to beat someone up. The robbers threatened to mess Bob up if he didn't cooperate. John messed up Bill a little, but no real harm was done.

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mess something up

to make something disorderly; to create disorder in something; to throw someone's plans awry. You really messed this place up! Who messed up my bed?

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mess up

to make an error; to do something wrong; to flub up. I hope I don't mess up on the quiz. You really messed up and now you're in big trouble!

See also: mess, up

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mess somebody up also mess up somebody

to cause someone emotional problems I don't want to mess her up any more than she already is, I decided to leave her alone. He's so messed up. Having just one parent has been known to mess up a kid.

See also: mess, up

mess something up also mess up something

1. to do something badly or make mistakes I really messed up my chemistry exam. We had a chance to win the game, but we messed it up.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form mess up on something: I messed up on my driving test.

2. to break, damage, or spoil something She worries that X-rays could mess up her laptop's hard drive. I messed up my ankle playing touch football. Most of kids at the party were well behaved, but there's always a few who mess things up.

See also: mess, up