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

The action fast-forwards to 1977, when Booth, the former wingman of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton in the original movie, gets mixed up in a scheme involving another Hollywood star, played by Scott Caan. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

As a result, companies are mixing up their relocation strategies, with more than half both diversifying and regionalizing and about a third nearshoring and reshoring. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Noun

Kravitz, too, issued a statement about the macabre mix-up to various news outlets including Boca News Now. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Tiffany Feder, Dahan’s attorney, described the issue as a mix-up, and said her client never intended to illegally participate in voting. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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