Cock up Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɑk/ /ˈəp
KAHK-uhp
kˈɒk/ /ˈʌp
KOK-up
Definition
A UK slang expression meaning to make a big mistake or do something very badly by accident.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and chiefly British; can be offensive in some situations. Most often used as a noun ('a real cock up') or verb phrase ('they cocked up'). Synonyms include 'mess up' or 'screw up.' Less common in American English.
Spanish: meter la pata - estropearPortuguese (BR): fazer uma besteira - estragar tudoPortuguese (PT): fazer asneira - estragar tudoChinese (Simplified): 搞砸 - 弄糟Chinese (Traditional): 搞砸 - 弄糟Hindi: गड़बड़ करना - बिगाड़ देनाArabic: أفسد الأمر - أخطأ (بشدة)Bengali: বড় ভুল - গণ্ডগোলRussian: косяк - большая ошибкаJapanese: 大失敗 - 大きなミスVietnamese: làm sai bét - sai lầm lớnKorean: 큰 실수 - 엉망진창Turkish: berbat etmek - büyük hataUrdu: بڑی گڑبڑ - بھاری غلطیIndonesian: kesalahan besar - kacau balau
Example Sentences
He made a big cock up on his first day at work.
basic
It was just a simple cock up with the paperwork.
basic
The team cocked up the final presentation.
basic
Wow, that's a serious cock up—how are we going to fix it?
natural
Sorry, I really cocked up the schedule this week.
natural
No one expected such a huge cock up at the event.
natural