bollix up
C1 slang separable transitive
In simple words
To make a bad mess of something; to ruin it.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
(Informal, chiefly American) To ruin, spoil, or make a mess of something through error or incompetence.
"He bollixed up the whole presentation by loading the wrong file."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly American informal/vulgar slang. Derived from 'bollocks' (testicles), though in American usage the connection is less vivid. Used freely in casual speech but inappropriate in formal or professional contexts. Less common than 'screw up' or 'mess up'.
Commonly used with
plan deal situation job assignment everything
Forms
Base
bollix up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bollixes up
he/she/it
Past simple
bollixed up
yesterday
Past participle
bollixed up
have + pp
-ing form
bollixing up
continuous
Understand "bollix up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "bollix up" on Looplines