Meaning & use
mashed up
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nouninformalmusic
Made by mixing or combining parts of different songs, recordings, or other things into one new piece.
Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes: a mashed-up song. It is not used after 'be' in this sense.
Patterns
- a mashed-up song
- a mashed-up version of something
The DJ played a mashed-up version of two old disco hits.
Her latest single is a mashed-up track that blends jazz and hip-hop.
adjectiveafter a verbinformal
Badly damaged, crushed, or broken into a messy state.
Grammar: Usually comes after 'be', 'get', or 'look': the box was mashed up.
Patterns
- be mashed up
- get mashed up
- look mashed up
The cake got mashed up in my bag on the way home.
His glasses were mashed up after he sat on them.
Common combinations
- a mashed-up version
- They released a mashed-up version of the theme tune.
- get mashed up
- The sandwiches got mashed up at the bottom of the bag.
- mashed-up track
- The album opens with a mashed-up track full of samples.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blended
- Use 'blended' for things mixed smoothly together, especially drinks or colors; 'mashed up' suggests a rougher or more digital combination.
- crushed
- 'Crushed' fits physical damage from pressure; 'mashed up' is more informal and suggests a messy result.
Word family
Commonly confused: mashed up or mashed?
mashed up vs mashed
'Mashed' alone usually describes food pressed until soft, like mashed potatoes. 'Mashed up' adds the idea of being mixed together or damaged.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'mashed up' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In option A, 'mashed up' describes food being pressed and mixed, which fits. Option B wrongly uses it to mean 'hurried', option C wrongly uses it to mean 'worried', and option D wrongly uses it to mean 'postponed'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mashed up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.