mix up

1 of 2

verb

mixed up; mixing up; mixes up

transitive verb

1

: to mistakenly think that (someone or something) is someone or something else : confuse

mixed the twins up

mixed up the times for the meetings

2

: to mistakenly put (something) in a place where something else should be

mixed up the two files

3

: to cause (someone) to be involved in a usually dangerous or improper activity

—usually used as (be/get) mixed up in

got mixed up in an illegal scheme

4

: to cause (someone) to become involved with usually bad or dangerous people

mix-up

2 of 2

noun

ˈmiks-ˌəp 

1

: a state or instance of confusion

a mix-up in our hotel reservations

2

: mixture

3

: conflict, fight

Synonyms of mix up

Noun

• mistake
• confusion
• foul-up

Examples of mix up in a Sentence

Noun

there was a mix-up at the airport and our luggage was accidentally sent to Ohio

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Two others, who are bound to be mixed up due to their names, are receivers Jaylen Jackson (5-10, 187) and Jaylen Johnson (5-10, 165). — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Goettsch has been a bartender for 20 years and mixed up drinks at Clay Pigeon for the last five years. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

The other three patients reportedly suffered serious complications from the mix-up, with CBS News reporting that a second patient is paralyzed. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Tennessee authorities are investigating after a drug mix-up at a Nashville hospital caused patients to experience complications during what should have been routine surgeries. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mix up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

mix-up

noun

ˈmik-ˌsəp

: an instance of confusion