1 C1 idiomatic slang
To ruin something through a careless or stupid mistake.
"I really dicked up the presentation — I forgot to save the file."
separable
dick up
C1 slang separable transitive
To ruin or spoil something through incompetence or carelessness (vulgar slang).
In plain English
To make a mess of something and ruin it.
What does "dick up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Vulgar and uncommon; found mainly in informal American English. 'Cock up' is the closer British equivalent. Not appropriate in polite or professional contexts.
Words that pair with "dick up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan job everything chance interview
How to conjugate "dick up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dick up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dicks up
he/she/it
Past simple
dicked up
yesterday
Past participle
dicked up
have + pp
-ing form
dicking up
continuous
Hear "dick up" in the wild
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