Definition

Verb (vulgar slang, chiefly British): 1. To ruin, spoil, or make a complete mess of something; to do something very badly. This term describes an action that results in failure, error, or destruction, often due to incompetence or mistake.

Usage

This verb is transitive and requires a direct object (the thing that is ruined or messed up). It is considered strong, vulgar language and is inappropriate for formal contexts.

Examples

• He completely bollocksed up the presentation by forgetting his notes. (He ruined the presentation.)
• I think I've bollocksed up the computer settings. (I think I have messed up the computer settings.)
• Don't let him handle the negotiations; he'll just bollocks everything up. (He will ruin everything.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in the passive voice to describe a situation: "The entire schedule was bollocksed up by the delayed flight."
• Can be used reflexively: "I really bollocksed myself up trying to fix the leak." (I made things much worse for myself.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bollocks (noun, vulgar slang): Can mean "nonsense" or "rubbish." ("That's a load of bollocks!") This is the base noun from which the phrasal verb is derived.
• Bollocking (noun, vulgar slang): A severe reprimand or telling-off. ("The boss gave me a right bollocking for bollocksing up the report.")

Synonyms

• Botch (up): To carry out a task badly or carelessly.
• Screw up (informal): To make a mistake or mess of something.
• Mess up (informal): To spoil something or do it incorrectly.
• Ruin: To destroy or severely damage.
• Foul up (informal): To cause something to fail or go wrong.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bollocks up is itself a phrasal verb. The particle "up" is integral to this specific meaning of causing ruin or error.

Notes on Meaning

This term carries a stronger and more vulgar connotation than its synonyms like "mess up" or "botch." It implies a more significant, often frustrating or stupid, error. It is primarily used in British and Irish English. The American English equivalent in terms of vulgarity and meaning is "fuck up."

Verb

1. make a mess of, destroy or ruin
   • I botched the dinner and we had to eat out
   • the pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement