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goof up

B1 informal separable both
In simple words

To make a silly mistake or mess something up.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To make a careless or silly mistake.

"I totally goofed up — I sent the email to the wrong person."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To ruin or spoil something through carelessness.

"He goofed up the whole presentation by using the wrong slide deck."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily American English. Implies an error that is more careless or accidental than serious. Can be used both transitively ('goof up the project') and intransitively ('I really goofed up'). The tone is usually self-deprecating or humorous.

Commonly used with

order presentation instructions calculations plan everything

Forms

Base
goof up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goofs up
he/she/it
Past simple
goofed up
yesterday
Past participle
goofed up
have + pp
-ing form
goofing up
continuous

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Synonyms

mess up screw up slip up blunder make a mistake botch

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