bollocks up
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- 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