foul-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp 

1

: a state of confusion or an error caused by ineptitude, carelessness, or mismanagement

foul-ups in transportation

2

: a mechanical difficulty

foul up

2 of 2

verb

fouled up; fouling up; fouls up

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

Noun

• mistake
• mix-up
• confusion

Verb

• fumble
• blow
• screw up
• murder
• ruin

Examples of foul-up in a Sentence

Noun

there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered

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

Noun

There are fewer opportunities for foul-ups and mishandling between flights when there are fewer connections and layovers. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025

There are fewer opportunities for foul-ups and mishandling between flights when there are fewer connections and layovers. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025

Verb

His idea is included in the tweet below: By adopting this policy, the league would immediately change the calculations that come with fouling up three. —Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

But Paige has been there, injuries fouling up her career, too. —John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for foul-up

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

Kids Definition

foul-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈfau̇-ˌləp

: an instance of fouling up : a state of being fouled up

foul up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)fau̇-ˈləp

: to spoil by bad work or stupidity : botch

fouled up the surprise attack