mess upverb

• 1

  To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss.

  • The afternoon breeze messed up my hair.
  • […] kwatumas, those aggressive and sharp-toothed eels that so thoroughly mess up one's tackle when hooked […]
• 2

  To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.

  • The change messed something up, and it's not working anymore.
• 3

  To botch, bungle; to perform poorly on.

  • Well, I messed up my solo, but otherwise it was a good concert.
• 4

  To make a mistake; to do something incorrectly; to perform poorly.

  • He has a hard time getting started because he's afraid he'll mess up.
  • She messed up on her final exam.
• 5

  To cause (another person) to make unwanted mistakes in a given task, usually through distraction or obnoxious behavior.

  • Stop bumping me! You keep messing me up!
• 6

  To damage; injure.

  • He messed up his elbow at the track meet.
• 7

  slangTo manhandle; beat up; rough up.

  • Her brother's friends messed him up a little after he cheated on her.
• 8

  slangTo discombobulate, utterly confuse, or confound psychologically; to throw into a state of mental disarray.

  • That girl totally messed me up, man. I'm not sure who I am anymore.