1 C1 idiomatic informal
To spoil, ruin, or disrupt something, typically plans or arrangements.
"The unexpected rain queered up all our plans for an outdoor wedding reception."
separable
queer up
C1 informal separable transitive
To spoil, ruin, or put something in disorder; an older sense of 'queer' meaning to spoil combined with 'up.'
In plain English
To mess something up or make it go wrong.
What does "queer up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something strange or disordered — 'queer' originally meant odd or wrong.
Actually means
To mess something up or make it go wrong.
Usage tip
Uses an older sense of 'queer' as a verb meaning to spoil or put out of order (as in the established idiom 'queer someone's pitch'). Now very rare and potentially confusing given the modern, reclaimed use of 'queer' in LGBTQ+ contexts. Speakers should be aware that this form is outdated and may be misunderstood. More common in early 20th-century British English.
Words that pair with "queer up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plans pitch deal arrangement chances
How to conjugate "queer up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
queer up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
queers up
he/she/it
Past simple
queered up
yesterday
Past participle
queered up
have + pp
-ing form
queering up
continuous
Hear "queer up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "queer up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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