bugger up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make a big mistake and ruin something.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To ruin or spoil something, usually through carelessness or incompetence.
"I completely buggered up the presentation by using last year's figures."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To damage or injure something, especially a body part or mechanism.
"He buggered up his knee playing rugby and needed surgery."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
British and Australian informal. Equivalent to 'screw up' or 'mess up'. The object can be split (bugger it up) or follow the particle (bugger up the plan). Mildly vulgar.
Commonly used with
plan chances everything job interview completely
Forms
Base
bugger up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buggers up
he/she/it
Past simple
buggered up
yesterday
Past participle
buggered up
have + pp
-ing form
buggering up
continuous
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