bollix

verb

bol·​lix ˈbä-liks How to pronounce bollix (audio)
bollixed; bollixing; bollixes

transitive verb

: to throw into disorder
also : bungle
usually used with up
bollix noun

Examples of bollix in a Sentence

That delay has bollixed our schedule.
Recent Examples on the Web The transcript illustrates how often Welker, bollixed by Trump, ended up stepping on her own questions. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023 Christine, rebellious, bollixed by adolescence, wants to discover her true identity. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2020 Guess bollixing the Jon Lester negotiations five years ago didn’t disprove their theory about the risks of paying pitchers in their 30s after all. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Oct. 2019 Davis learned the hard way that risk aversion is the riskiest political approach when voters recalled him in 2003 for bollixing energy and budget crises. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2019 Even the little things that could make a difference get bollixed up by bureaucracy and lack of political and moral will. Steve Lopez, latimes.com, 4 June 2019 His request got all bollixed up in transmission, but there was a paper trail. Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2017 At home, the State Department fretted that Reagan's harsh rhetoric would bollix efforts to negotiate with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. The Washington Post, AL.com, 12 June 2017 At home, the State Department fretted that Reagan’s harsh rhetoric would bollix efforts to negotiate with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. Marc Fisher, Washington Post, 12 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bollix.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of bollocks

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bollix was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near bollix

Cite this Entry

“Bollix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bollix. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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