Bollix Up

B1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈbɑlɪks ʌp/

Definitions of bollix up

noun a mess or confusion

Example Sentences

A1 I always bollix up my hair when I try to style it myself.

A2 She managed to bollix up the recipe by adding too much salt.

B1 The new employee has a tendency to bollix up simple tasks.

B2 It's important not to bollix up the presentation with technical glitches.

C1 The CEO's decision to bollix up the merger negotiations was met with criticism.

C2 Despite his best efforts, he still managed to bollix up the project timeline.

verb to make a mess of something, to ruin or spoil

Example Sentences

A1 I accidentally bollixed up my homework assignment.

A2 She always manages to bollix up simple tasks.

B1 The new employee bollixed up the presentation with incorrect data.

B2 I hope I don't bollix up the important meeting tomorrow.

C1 The CEO's decision to bollix up the company's expansion plans was met with criticism.

C2 Despite his best efforts, he still managed to bollix up the project.

Examples of bollix up in a Sentence

formal He managed to bollix up the presentation by forgetting key points.

informal I completely bollixed up my interview by rambling on about irrelevant things.

slang I bollixed up the recipe by adding too much salt.

figurative She bollixed up her chances of promotion by constantly arriving late to work.

Grammatical Forms of bollix up

past tense

bollixed

plural

bollixes

comparative

more bollixed

superlative

most bollixed

present tense

bollixes up

future tense

will bollix up

perfect tense

have bollixed up

continuous tense

is bollixing up

singular

bollixes up

positive degree

bollix up

infinitive

to bollix up

gerund

bollixing up

participle

bollixed up

Origin and Evolution of bollix up

First Known Use: 1870 year
Language of Origin: Irish Gaelic
Story behind the word: The word 'bollix' originated from the Irish word 'balach' meaning 'a little fellow' or 'ragged fellow'. It was later adapted into English as a slang term to mean 'to mess up or bungle'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'bollix' evolved from its original meaning of 'a little fellow' to its current usage as a verb meaning 'to mess up'. The addition of 'up' in 'bollix up' further emphasizes the act of causing confusion or disorder.