stuff up
Make a big mistake and ruin something, OR push something into a space to block it up.
Meanings
(Australian/NZ informal) To make a serious mistake; to ruin or spoil something through error.
"I totally stuffed up the presentation — I forgot to bring the slides."
To fill a gap, hole, or cavity by pushing material firmly into it.
"She stuffed up the crack in the wall with old newspaper to keep out the draught."
To block a passage in the body (especially the nose), making it difficult to breathe.
"My nose is stuffed up from this cold and I can barely sleep."
The 'make a mistake' sense is predominantly Australian and New Zealand English, equivalent to 'mess up' or 'screw up' in American English. The physical sense (filling a gap) is used more broadly. The mistake sense can also be used as a noun: 'a stuff-up'.
Commonly used with
Forms
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