bollix

verb

bol·lix | \ ˈbä-liks

How to pronounce bollix (audio)

\

bollixed; bollixing; bollixes

Definition of bollix

transitive verb

: to throw into disorder also : bungle —usually used with up

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Examples of bollix in a Sentence

That delay has bollixed our schedule.

Recent Examples on the Web Christine, rebellious, bollixed by adolescence, wants to discover her true identity. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "Home theater: From ‘Brooklyn’ to ‘Little Women,’ settle in with Saoirse Ronan," 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, "You're using a browser set to private or incognito mode.," 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, "Walters: Can Kamala Harris break California’s presidential jinx?," 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, "Homelessness in L.A. is a catastrophe in motion, and our leaders are largely to blame," 4 June 2019 His request got all bollixed up in transmission, but there was a paper trail. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Under Anesthesia, Everything Was Beautiful," 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, "'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!' Reagan's historic Cold War speech was 30 years ago today," 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, "‘Tear down this wall’: How Reagan’s forgotten line became a defining moment," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bollix.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Bollix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bollix. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for bollix

bollix

verb

English Language Learners Definition of bollix

US, informal : to make mistakes in doing (something) : to upset or ruin (something)

See the full definition for bollix in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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