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botch up

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To do a job so badly that you ruin it — especially a repair or task that needed skill.

Literal meaning: 'Botch' originally meant a clumsy patch or repair; 'botch up' means to make such a mess of something that it is now worse than before.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To do a job or task very badly, especially through carelessness or incompetence, ruining the result.

"He completely botched up the plumbing repair and now there's water everywhere."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To ruin a plan, situation, or opportunity through poor handling.

"The government completely botched up the vaccine rollout in the early weeks."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Common in British and American English. 'Botch' originally meant to repair clumsily, so 'botch up' intensifies this — making a mess of something that was supposed to be fixed or completed properly. Often used for DIY repairs, surgical procedures, or plans. Also used as a noun: 'a botch-up'.

Commonly used with

job repair operation plan attempt surgery

Forms

Base
botch up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
botches up
he/she/it
Past simple
botched up
yesterday
Past participle
botched up
have + pp
-ing form
botching up
continuous

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