Muddling Meaning in English

word · lemma: muddle

US

UK

Definition

Trying to do something in a confused or disorganized way, often not knowing exactly what to do. It can also mean making things more confusing or unclear.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal. Common in the phrase 'muddling through' (managing despite confusion or lack of a plan). Implies disorganization, not complete failure. Can describe mental states or disorganized actions.

• Spanish: confundir - enredar
• Portuguese (BR): confundir - embaralhar
• Portuguese (PT): confundir - baralhar
• Chinese (Simplified): 弄乱 - 使困惑
• Chinese (Traditional): 弄亂 - 使困惑
• Hindi: उलझाना - गड़बड़ करना
• Arabic: تشويش - إرباك
• Bengali: গুপ্তভাবে কাজ করা - এলোমেলোভাবে করা - বিশৃঙ্খলা সৃষ্টি করা
• Russian: путаться - путать - неразборчиво действовать
• Japanese: 混乱してやる - ごちゃごちゃにする
• Vietnamese: làm một cách lộn xộn - gây rối
• Korean: 헷갈리다 - 뒤죽박죽하다
• Turkish: karmakarışık yapmak - kafası karışıkça ilerlemek
• Urdu: الجھنا - گڑبڑ کرنا
• Indonesian: merabaikan secara kacau - bingung-bingung

Example Sentences

He kept muddling the instructions and got confused.

basic

She is muddling her way through her first week at the new job.

basic

He started muddling the facts during his story, so nobody understood what happened.

natural

Stop muddling things up!

basic

Honestly, we were just muddling through the meeting without a clear plan.

natural

I feel like I'm just muddling along in life right now.

natural