muss up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make something neat — especially hair — look messy and untidy.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To make hair or clothing untidy and dishevelled.
"The wind completely mussed up her carefully styled hair."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 informal
To make a tidy space or arrangement untidy.
"Don't muss up my desk — I know exactly where everything is."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Predominantly American English. Most commonly used about hair ('muss up someone's hair') or clothing. Suggests a playful or accidental untidiness rather than serious disorder. British English speakers would more likely say 'mess up.'
Commonly used with
hair clothes outfit room sheets look
Forms
Base
muss up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
musses up
he/she/it
Past simple
mussed up
yesterday
Past participle
mussed up
have + pp
-ing form
mussing up
continuous
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Synonyms
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