1 B1 idiomatic slang
To make a serious mistake or handle something very badly.
"I really fucked up — I sent the complaint email to the client instead of my manager."
separable
fuck up
B1 slang separable transitive/intransitive
Vulgar slang meaning to make a serious mistake, ruin something, or cause psychological damage to a person.
In plain English
To make a big mistake that ruins something, or to seriously harm someone's mind or emotions.
What does "fuck up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic slang
To ruin or damage something through poor handling or error.
"The bad weather fucked up all our plans for the outdoor festival."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic slang
To cause serious psychological or emotional harm to someone.
"Growing up in that environment really fucked him up — he struggles to trust anyone."
separable
Usage tip
One of the most commonly used vulgar phrasal verbs in English. As a noun, 'a fuck-up' describes the mistake itself or a person who makes frequent errors. Can refer to practical mistakes (transitive) or emotional/psychological harm (transitive). Can also be used intransitively. Widely used across American and British English.
Words that pair with "fuck up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
completely really big time everything the plan someone's head
How to conjugate "fuck up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fuck up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fucks up
he/she/it
Past simple
fucked up
yesterday
Past participle
fucked up
have + pp
-ing form
fucking up
continuous
Hear "fuck up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fuck up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "fuck up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.