cock up
To make a big mistake and ruin something.
Meanings
To ruin or spoil something through a careless or stupid mistake.
"I completely cocked up the soufflé — I forgot to preheat the oven."
"We've cocked it up, we've really cocked it up."
— John Cleese, Fawlty Towers (attributed in various interviews referencing the show's production)
To make a serious error that has damaging consequences for others.
"The government cocked up the vaccine rollout in the early stages."
(Literal, rare) To tilt or raise something upward at an angle, such as an ear or a hat brim.
"The dog cocked up its ears at the sound of the doorbell."
Very common in British English. Can be used as a verb ('he cocked it up') or noun ('what a cock-up'). The noun form 'cock-up' is hyphenated. Considered mildly vulgar by some but widely used in British media and conversation. Not considered offensive enough to avoid in most adult contexts.
Commonly used with
Forms
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