1 C1 idiomatic slang
(Informal, chiefly American) To ruin, spoil, or make a mess of something through error or incompetence.
"He bollixed up the whole presentation by loading the wrong file."
separable
bollix up
C1 slang separable transitive
To spoil or ruin something through carelessness or incompetence.
In plain English
To make a bad mess of something; to ruin it.
What does "bollix up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Chiefly American informal/vulgar slang. Derived from 'bollocks' (testicles), though in American usage the connection is less vivid. Used freely in casual speech but inappropriate in formal or professional contexts. Less common than 'screw up' or 'mess up'.
Words that pair with "bollix up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan deal situation job assignment everything
How to conjugate "bollix up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bollix up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bollixes up
he/she/it
Past simple
bollixed up
yesterday
Past participle
bollixed up
have + pp
-ing form
bollixing up
continuous
Hear "bollix up" in the wild
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