cockup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 (Low-Mid frequency)Informal; considered somewhat vulgar/potentially offensive due to association with the first element "cock-".
Quick answer
What does “cockup” mean?
A serious mistake or blunder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serious mistake or blunder.
A chaotic or disastrous failure, often resulting from incompetence, miscommunication, or a series of errors; a significant mishandling of a situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily British (and Commonwealth) usage. American English speakers would likely use "screw-up", "foul-up", or "mess-up" instead. In American English, "cock-up" is very rare and might not be understood.
Connotations
In British English, it is informal but well-established. It retains a slightly stronger, coarser edge than 'mess-up' but is generally acceptable in informal adult conversation.
Frequency
Common in UK informal speech, media, and journalism. Extremely rare in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “cockup” in a Sentence
MAKE a cockup (of sth)It/That/This is/was a cockupThe cockup + verb (e.g., happened, occurred, cost...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cockup” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They've completely cocked up the travel arrangements.
- Don't let him near the projector; he'll only cock it up.
American English
- He totally screwed up the presentation.
adverb
British English
- The form was filled out all cockup. (rare, non-standard)
- Everything went cockup. (idiomatic, rare)
American English
- [No equivalent use]
adjective
British English
- It was a cockup situation from start to finish.
- We're dealing with the cockup budget figures now.
American English
- It was a screwed-up situation from start to finish.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The payroll cockup left half the staff unpaid." Used to describe logistical, administrative, or communication failures.
Academic
Generally avoided; "major methodological error" or "procedural failure" would be used instead.
Everyday
"There's been a bit of a cockup with the hotel booking." Common in informal complaints or storytelling about mishaps.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; terms like "system failure", "bug", or "breach of protocol" are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cockup”
- Misspelling as 'cock-up' (hyphenated) is common and often accepted, though solid form 'cockup' is standard in modern dictionaries.
- Using it in overly formal contexts where it is inappropriate.
- Overusing; it is for significant errors, not minor slips.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be considered mildly vulgar or impolite because of the element 'cock', which is slang for 'penis'. It is best used in informal settings with people you know will not be offended.
A 'cockup' typically implies a more significant, consequential, and often systematic failure than a 'mess-up', which can be more general and less severe. 'Cockup' also has a stronger British association.
Yes, the phrasal verb is 'to cock up' (e.g., 'I cocked up the calculations'). The past tense is 'cocked up'. This is very common in British English.
Use terms like 'error', 'mistake', 'oversight', 'administrative error', 'procedural failure', or 'mishap', depending on the context and severity.
A serious mistake or blunder.
Cockup is usually informal; considered somewhat vulgar/potentially offensive due to association with the first element "cock-". in register.
Cockup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːkʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A complete dog's breakfast (synonymous for a messy situation resulting from a cockup)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rooster (cock) accidentally knocking over a tower of cups. The COCK makes a MESS of the CUPS = a COCKUP.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERROR IS A PHYSICAL MESS/SPILL (Something that was ordered becomes disordered and chaotic).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'cockup' most commonly and naturally used?