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Meaning & use

screwed up

adjective, verb·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌskruːd ˈʌp/
US/ˌskruːd ˈʌp/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Spoiled or done badly because of a mistake; messed up.

    Grammar: Used after a verb: the plan is screwed up.

    Patterns

    • get something screwed up
    • be screwed up

    The schedule is completely screwed up this week.

    My computer settings got screwed up after the update.

    He found the whole order screwed up when it arrived.

  2. adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving

    Emotionally troubled or confused because of difficult experiences.

    Grammar: Describes a person: he is really screwed up.

    Patterns

    • be screwed up about something

    She felt screwed up after the divorce.

    He is still screwed up about what happened at school.

  3. verbtransitive or intransitiveinformal

    Past form of screw up: made a bad mistake or ruined something.

    Grammar: Can take an object or not: he screwed up the test, he screwed up.

    Patterns

    • screw something up

    I screwed up the interview by arriving late.

    She screwed up and sent the email to the wrong person.

Word forms

base formscrew up
third person singularscrews up
-ing formscrewing up

Common combinations

totally screwed up
The booking was totally screwed up.
screwed up the plan
He screwed up the plan by telling everyone.
screwed up badly
I screwed up badly on that test.
all screwed up
My schedule is all screwed up.
screwed up my chances
She screwed up her chances of promotion.

Synonyms and how they differ

messed up
Messed up is almost the same but a little less strong and slightly more acceptable in speech.
botched
Botched suggests a clumsy repair or job, and is more neutral in tone than screwed up.
ruined
Ruined is neutral and can be used formally, while screwed up is informal and blunt.
muddled
Muddled describes confusion more than failure, and is much milder.

Opposites

successfulwell organized

Word family

screw up verb
to make a bad mistake
screw-up noun
a serious mistake
screw verb
to fasten with a screw

Commonly confused: screwed up or screwed over?

screwed up vs screwed over

Screwed over means treated unfairly or cheated, while screwed up refers to a mistake or a mess.

Practice

I really ____ the presentation because I forgot to save my slides.

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