muck up
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To ruin or make a mess of something.
Literal meaning: To cover something with muck (dirt) — the figurative sense of ruining is a natural extension.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To do something badly or fail at it.
"I completely mucked up my driving test — I stalled three times."
Grammar: separable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To spoil or ruin a plan, event, or situation.
"The rain completely mucked up our plans for a barbecue."
Grammar: separable
3 B1 informal
To make something physically dirty or messy.
"Don't muck up your school uniform before the photo!"
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in British English. Milder than 'screw up.' Can refer to spoiling a plan, failing a task, or literally making something dirty. The object usually goes between 'muck' and 'up' or after the full phrase.
Commonly used with
exam interview plan opportunity performance chance
Forms
Base
muck up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mucks up
he/she/it
Past simple
mucked up
yesterday
Past participle
mucked up
have + pp
-ing form
mucking up
continuous
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Synonyms
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