1 B1 idiomatic informal
To make a careless or silly mistake.
"I totally goofed up — I sent the email to the wrong person."
separable
goof up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make a mistake or do something incorrectly.
In plain English
To make a silly mistake or mess something up.
What does "goof up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To ruin or spoil something through carelessness.
"He goofed up the whole presentation by using the wrong slide deck."
separable
Usage tip
Primarily American English. Implies an error that is more careless or accidental than serious. Can be used both transitively ('goof up the project') and intransitively ('I really goofed up'). The tone is usually self-deprecating or humorous.
Words that pair with "goof up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
order presentation instructions calculations plan everything
How to conjugate "goof up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
goof up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goofs up
he/she/it
Past simple
goofed up
yesterday
Past participle
goofed up
have + pp
-ing form
goofing up
continuous
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