How Do You Spell MESS UP?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛs ˈʌp] (IPA)

The spelling of the phrase "mess up" can be a bit confusing. The word "mess" is spelled with two S's, and the word "up" ends with a P, yet when the two words are combined, the P in "up" becomes a B sound. This is because "mess up" is actually pronounced with a voiced bilabial fricative /b/ sound instead of the unvoiced bilabial plosive /p/ sound of "up" on its own. So, although the spelling may seem odd, the pronunciation of "mess up" follows the rules of English phonetics.

MESS UP Meaning and Definition

1. Mess up is an idiomatic phrasal verb that primarily means to make a mistake or to blunder, resulting in a problematic or chaotic situation. It implies a failure to accomplish something correctly or to execute a task accurately. The term is often used to describe an action or behavior that leads to an undesirable outcome, causing confusion, disorder, or damage.

   When someone messes up, they may inadvertently spoil or ruin a situation, plan, or relationship. It implies a significant error or failure that has negative consequences. For example, a student may mess up an exam if they answer incorrectly or fail to adhere to the instructions.

   In a broader context, mess up also describes the state of disarray, disorder, or untidiness. It denotes a physical or emotional situation that lacks organization or is in a state of confusion. For instance, a messy room or a disheveled appearance can be referred to as a mess up.

   The term is also used informally to express frustration, disappointment, or annoyance when someone or something does not live up to expectations. This usage conveys a sense of dissatisfaction or discontentment. Example: "You really messed up my plans by canceling at the last minute."

   Overall, mess up encompasses a range of meanings related to making mistakes, causing disorder, or failing to meet expectations, making it a versatile phrase used in various contexts.

Top Common Misspellings for MESS UP *

• messup 71.4285714%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MESS UP

• ness up
• kess up
• jess up
• mwss up
• msss up
• mdss up
• mrss up
• m4ss up
• m3ss up
• meas up
• mezs up
• mexs up
• meds up
• mees up
• mews up
• mesa up
• mesz up
• mesx up
• mesd up

Etymology of MESS UP

The word "mess up" is believed to have originated in the late 19th century and is derived from the word "mess" meaning "a serving of food". Originally used in military contexts, a "mess" referred to a communal eating area or a group of people who shared their meals together.

Over time, the term "mess" extended its meaning to describe disorder, confusion, or a state of disarray. When the verb "up" is added, it intensifies the meaning, implying causing disorder, confusion, or making a mistake. Thus, "mess up" came to mean making errors, creating disorder, or ruining something.

Idioms with the word MESS UP

• mess up To make a mistake, do something incorrectly, or cause something to become disordered or confusing.

Similar spelling word for MESS UP

• mess-up.