Definition

1. Verb (transitive, informal, chiefly British):
   • To make a mess of; to bungle or spoil something completely: This is the primary meaning, indicating a significant error or failure in execution.
   • To raise or erect something, especially abruptly: A less common, more literal meaning related to lifting or tilting upwards.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to bungle):

  • I completely cocked up the presentation by forgetting my notes. (I ruined the presentation by forgetting my notes.)
  • Be careful not to cock up the reservations for the hotel. (Be careful not to mess up the hotel reservations.)

• Verb (to raise):

  • The horse cocked up its ears at the strange sound. (The horse raised its ears at the strange sound.)
  • He cocked up his head to get a better view. (He tilted his head up to get a better view.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often considered vulgar or mildly offensive due to its etymology. It is more common in British English than in American English.
• It is frequently used in the passive voice to describe a situation.
  • The entire project was cocked up from the start. (The entire project was mismanaged from the beginning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cock-up (noun): A mistake or blunder.
  • The missing files were a serious cock-up. (The missing files were a serious mistake.)

Synonyms

• Botch: To carry out a task badly or carelessly.
• Mishandle: To manage or deal with something incorrectly or ineffectively.
• Foul up (verb, informal): To make a mistake or cause something to fail.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Screw up (verb, informal): To make a mistake or mess something up. This is a very close synonym, more common in American English.
  • I hope I don't screw up this interview. (I hope I don't ruin this interview.)

Related Idioms

• Make a hash of something (idiom): To do something very badly.
  • I made a real hash of explaining the rules. (I did a very poor job of explaining the rules.)

Verb

1. raise
   • The dog pricked up his ears