cock-up
Something gone wrong
A cock-up is a blunder or mistake, chiefly British: The whole project was a complete cock-up.
The term is mildly vulgar but common in casual speech.
To cock up is to bungle something: They've cocked up the scheduling again.
The image is of something gone askew, from cock meaning to tilt or set at an angle.
Humiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- bungleFail through clumsiness
- gaffeClumsy social error
- howlerEmbarrassingly obvious mistake
clanger · blooper · flub · snafu · goof · misstep · faux pas · slip-up
Sudden ruinous event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
- messDisorderly, troublesome condition
- shamblesState of total disorder
- debacleSudden, complete failure
collapse · wreck · ruin · mismanagement · bungling · ineptitude · omnishambles · train wreck
Wrong action or decision
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- omissionFailure to include
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- miscalculationError in estimation
misjudgment · inaccuracy · fault · miscue · slip · blip · misreading · misunderstanding
fiasco
Humiliating public failure
howler · clanger · blooper · flub · snafu · goof · misstep · faux pas · slip-up · boo-boo
disaster
Sudden ruinous event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
- messDisorderly, troublesome condition
- shamblesState of total disorder
debacle · collapse · wreck · ruin · mismanagement · bungling · ineptitude · omnishambles · train wreck · car crash
mistake
Wrong action or decision
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- omissionFailure to include
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
miscalculation · misjudgment · inaccuracy · fault · miscue · slip · blip · misreading · misunderstanding · mix-up
cock-upsuccess
Favorable outcome attained
triumph · accomplishment · achievement · attainment · victory
cock-upmasterpiece
Supreme artistic achievement
well-oiled machine · competence · professionalism · flawless execution · textbook example