mess up(
mehs
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
1. (to make untidy)
b. desarreglar
Cindy's brother messed up her hair when he opened the car windows.El hermano de Cindy le desarregló el cabello cuando abrió los cristales del coche.
c. revolver
Dawn's assistant messed up her desk when she was searching for the document.La asistente de Dawn le revolvió el escritorio cuando estaba buscando el documento.
2. (to make dirty)
a. ensuciar
The spaghetti fell off the table and messed up the floor.El espagueti se cayó de la mesa y ensució el piso.
3. (to ruin)
a. estropear
The hurricane messed up my plans to go to the beach.El huracán estropeo mis planes de ir a la playa.
b. arruinar
Alcohol abuse messed him up so much, his parents thought he'd never recover.El abuso del alcohol lo arruinó de tal manera que sus padres se temían que nunca mejoraría.
c. echar a perder
The new skyscraper across the street has messed up my cell phone reception.El nuevo rascacielos al otro lado de la calle ha echado a perder la recepción de mi celular.
4. (to beat up)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. dar una paliza
You hit my car! I'm going to mess you up, man.¡Le pegaste a mi carro! Te voy una una paliza, güey.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
5. (to do something wrong)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
a. equivocarse
Look, you messed up. The letter is for Mrs. Hernandez, not Mrs. Fernandez.Mira, te equivocaste. La carta es para la señora Hernández, no la señora Fernández.
b. meter la pata
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g. skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
We've really messed up this time! We'll be lucky to get another commission after this disaster.¡Esta vez sí que hemos metido la pata! Sería increíble que nos encargaran otro trabajo después de este desastre.
mess up
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
1. (colloquial)
a. desordenar (room)
2. (hair)
a. revolver
3. (plan)
a. estropear
mess up
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