1 C1 idiomatic slang
To ruin something or make a serious mistake in handling it.
"He completely arsed up the client presentation and lost the contract."
separable
arse up
C1 slang separable transitive
To ruin or make a mess of something through incompetence or carelessness.
In plain English
Make a terrible mess of something; completely ruin it.
What does "arse up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn something so it is bottom-side (arse) up — i.e., upside down and ruined.
Actually means
Make a terrible mess of something; completely ruin it.
Usage tip
Vulgar British slang. Nearly synonymous with 'cock up' and 'balls up'. Describes making a serious mistake or ruining something. Can be used as a noun too ('a complete arse-up'). Not suitable in formal contexts.
Words that pair with "arse up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan presentation job deal project interview
How to conjugate "arse up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
arse up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
arses up
he/she/it
Past simple
arsed up
yesterday
Past participle
arsed up
have + pp
-ing form
arsing up
continuous
Hear "arse up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "arse up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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