screws up
Makes a mess
Screws up means to make a mistake or ruin something through error or incompetence: I really screwed up the presentation.
Someone who screws up a task bungles it; someone who screws up their life makes serious mistakes with lasting consequences.
The phrase is mildly vulgar but common in casual speech.
A screw-up is either the mistake itself or the person who habitually makes them.
- flubsBotches through carelessness
- bunglesMishandles through clumsiness
- botchesFails through carelessness
- drops the ballFails a key responsibility
- goofsCareless small errors
messes up · fouls up · blunders · cocks up · gaffe · snafu · misstep · fumble · brain fart · mishap · error · human error · faux pas · wrecks · mismanage · negligence · misjudgment · carelessness
screws upnails it
Performs something flawlessly
succeeds · hits the mark · sticks the landing · aces · delivers
screws upchickens out
Abandons plan from fear
backs down · wimps out · falters · caves · gets cold feet
screw, screws, screw up, screwed, screwy, unscrew, screwball, screwdriver, unscrewed