Below you will find one of the uses of the phrasal verb 'mess up' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition, you will also find two examples of it being used with this meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember this use, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use

To either make a mistake or not do something you should have which then causes big problems.

"How did the exam go?"
"Terrible. I really MESSED UP. I didn't realise until after that you could only use a pencil to write the answers and I used a pen. I've definitely failed it."

I've really MESSED UP at work! I left the door open and somebody came in and stole $2,000.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.