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mix up

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To think one thing is another thing by mistake, or to stir things together.

Literal meaning: To mix things up into an unclear or disordered state — the confusion sense follows naturally.

Meanings

1 A2 idiomatic neutral

To confuse one person or thing with another; to mistake one for the other.

"I always mix up the twins — they look absolutely identical to me."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To combine several ingredients or elements together.

"Mix up the flour, eggs, and milk in a large bowl until smooth."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

To put things in disorder, making them difficult to sort out.

"Someone has mixed up all the files — I can't find anything in this cabinet."

Grammar: separable
4 B2 idiomatic informal

(get mixed up in) To become involved in something undesirable or illegal.

"He got mixed up in a fraud scheme and lost everything."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

One of the most commonly used phrasal verbs in English. 'Get mixed up' means to become confused. 'A mix-up' (noun) means an error caused by confusion. Used in cooking, bureaucracy, and everyday confusion alike. Very broad usage across all registers.

Commonly used with

names dates orders ingredients twins files

Forms

Base
mix up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mixes up
he/she/it
Past simple
mixed up
yesterday
Past participle
mixed up
have + pp
-ing form
mixing up
continuous

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Synonyms

confuse muddle up mistake blend jumble up get wrong

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