Goof up Meaning in English

expression

US

GOOF-uhp

UK

GOOF-up

Definition

To make a mistake, often in a silly or careless way. Used informally when someone does something wrong or messes something up.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and often playful. Commonly used for small to medium mistakes, not serious or criminal issues. Often followed by 'sorry', as in 'Sorry, I goofed up.' Synonyms: 'mess up', 'screw up'. Rare in formal writing.

• Spanish: meter la pata - cometer un error
• Portuguese (BR): vacilar - cometer um erro - pisar na bola
• Portuguese (PT): meter a pata - cometer um erro
• Chinese (Simplified): 搞砸 - 犯错误
• Chinese (Traditional): 搞砸 - 犯錯誤
• Hindi: गलती करना - गड़बड़ करना
• Arabic: يخطئ - يرتكب خطأ
• Bengali: ভুল করা - গণ্ডগোল করা
• Russian: накосячить - оплошать - облажаться
• Japanese: やらかす - しくじる
• Vietnamese: làm hỏng - mắc lỗi
• Korean: 실수하다 - 엉망으로 만들다
• Turkish: çuvallamak - sakarlık yapmak
• Urdu: گڑبڑ کرنا - بھول کرنا
• Indonesian: mengacau - melakukan kesalahan

Example Sentences

I goofed up on the test and got many answers wrong.

basic

Be careful or you might goof up again.

basic

He didn't mean to goof up; it was just an accident.

basic

Sorry, I really goofed up this time. I’ll fix it.

natural

If you goof up, just admit it and move on.

natural

Wow, I didn't expect you to goof up something so simple!

natural