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

In the classic trope of stage magic, Jim lets members of the audience see the balls get placed into two boxes, mixed up, and given to Alice and Bob. —Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026

His body had been mixed up with another man’s body in Texas. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Noun

In addition to Reynolds’ gaffe, the Pirates cost themselves a prime scoring opportunity with a mix-up on the bases in the second inning. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

An embarrassing mix-up led to Lille's second goal. —ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mix-up

noun

ˈmik-ˌsəp

: an instance of confusion