foul-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp 

1

: a state of confusion or an error caused by ineptitude, carelessness, or mismanagement

foul-ups in transportation

2

: a mechanical difficulty

foul up

2 of 2

verb

fouled up; fouling up; fouls up

transitive verb

1

: to make dirty : contaminate

2

: to spoil by making mistakes or using poor judgment : confuse

3

: entangle, block

fouled up communications

intransitive verb

: to cause a foul-up : bungle

it was his fault. He had fouled up

—Pat Frank

Synonyms

Noun

• mix-up

Verb

• blow
• bobble
• boggle
• bollix (up)
• boot
• botch
• bugger (up)
• bumble
• bungle
• butcher
• dub
• flub
• fluff
• foozle
• fumble
• goof (up)
• louse up
• mangle
• mess (up)
• muck up
• muff
• murder
• screw up

Examples of foul-up in a Sentence

Noun

there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered

Verb

tried not to foul up the football play

unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That foul-up then gets included in the series of questions and answers, causing the final answer to go askew. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups. —Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012

Verb

For just one of 67 counties to use the wrong one could foul up an entire statewide count. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024

See the stunning shot... AIRLINE 'CHAOS' – A flight was canceled after someone fouled up the aircraft amid delays. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 19 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

foul-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈfau̇-ˌləp

: an instance of fouling up : a state of being fouled up

foul up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)fau̇-ˈləp

: to spoil by bad work or stupidity : botch

fouled up the surprise attack