foul-up

noun

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\ ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp

Definition of foul-up

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a state of confusion or an error caused by ineptitude, carelessness, or mismanagement foul-ups in transportation

2 : a mechanical difficulty

foul up

verb

fouled up; fouling up; fouls up

Definition of foul up (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make dirty : contaminate

2 : to spoil by making mistakes or using poor judgment : confuse

3 : entangle, block fouled up communications

intransitive verb

: to cause a foul-up : bungle it was his fault. He had fouled up— Pat Frank

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About foul-up

Examples of foul-up in a Sentence

Verb tried not to foul up the football play unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Those intruders chop down the jungles and foul up the wetlands, as the spirits mount an offensive to drive them off the shorelines. — Luke Winkie, The Atlantic, 22 July 2021 But a foul up with super formula license points stole that dream away. — Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 3 May 2021 The foul up with the referees is a bit of surprise given Indianapolis' reputation for being an effective host city for large-scale events —and the importance of this event to the city and its reputation. — Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2021 Then come foul up, goof up, gum up, mess up, muck up, screw up and synonymous unprintables. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2021 That’s how the Patriots can score, by fooling the other team or forcing it to foul up. — BostonGlobe.com, 18 Nov. 2019 The Giants foul up the rush, but the Winterhawks are slow to get back and Sourdif gets the puck back and beats Joel Hofer top shelf. — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 10 Nov. 2019 If his mechanics are fouled up and if his pocket presence is askew, those aren’t little things, and no one other than hot-take artists are saying he is seriously maligned. — Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2019 That is, one can’t simply be plugged into the other without fouling up the picture. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 20 July 2019 See More

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