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flub up

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To make a silly or embarrassing mistake, especially when you say something wrong or perform badly.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To make an embarrassing mistake, especially in speech or a performance.

"The actor flubbed up his lines twice during the live broadcast."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To ruin or spoil something through careless mistakes.

"We had a perfect plan, but they completely flubbed it up at the last minute."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily American English. Often used for verbal blunders, acting mistakes, or public slip-ups. The base verb 'flub' is more common than the phrasal 'flub up'.

Commonly used with

lines speech presentation performance interview

Forms

Base
flub up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flubs up
he/she/it
Past simple
flubed up
yesterday
Past participle
flubed up
have + pp
-ing form
flubing up
continuous

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