muff up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make a mess of something through clumsiness or incompetence.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To handle something badly or fail at it, especially through clumsiness or poor execution.
"He had an open goal but completely muffed up the shot."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Relatively rare and predominantly British. 'Muff' alone means to handle something badly (especially catching something in sport). 'Muff up' adds extra emphasis on the failure. Often used for missed sporting chances or failed performances.
Commonly used with
chance opportunity shot catch lines interview
Forms
Base
muff up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
muffs up
he/she/it
Past simple
muffed up
yesterday
Past participle
muffed up
have + pp
-ing form
muffing up
continuous
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Synonyms
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