screwup
High in informal/colloquial contexts.Informal, colloquial, sometimes mildly vulgar.
Definition
Meaning
A serious mistake or blunder; a failure caused by error or incompetence.
Can also refer to a person who habitually makes mistakes or fails at tasks; a state of disorder or chaos resulting from errors.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The verb form is phrasal: 'to screw up'. Often implies a degree of carelessness or avoidable error, not merely misfortune.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, but fully understood in British English. British speakers might prefer 'cock-up' or 'mess-up' in equivalent informal contexts.
Connotations
Slightly stronger/more critical in British English due to the potential vulgarity of 'screw'. In AmE, it's a standard, moderately strong informal term.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American spoken and informal written English (e.g., blogs, dialogue).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + was a + (major) screwup.That + [event] + was a real screwup.What a screwup!It was a screwup on our part.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A complete screwup from start to finish.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in informal business talk to describe project failures, missed deadlines, or budgeting errors. Avoid in formal reports.
Academic
Rare; considered too informal for academic writing. 'Error' or 'methodological flaw' is preferred.
Everyday
Very common in describing personal, work, or logistical mistakes (e.g., travel plans, cooking).
Technical
Not used in technical documentation. Terms like 'system failure', 'bug', or 'anomaly' are standard.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I really hope I don't screw up my driving test again.
- The new software update has screwed up the printer settings.
American English
- Don't screw up the presentation this time.
- He totally screwed up by forgetting the client's name.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb. The verb phrase 'screw up' functions as a phrasal verb.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb. The verb phrase 'screw up' functions as a phrasal verb.
adjective
British English
- The whole situation was completely screwed up from the beginning.
- We're dealing with a screwed-up filing system.
American English
- I've never seen such a screwed-up schedule.
- His plans got all screwed up after the flight cancellation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Oh no! I made a screwup with the dates.
- It was a small screwup, not a big problem.
- The travel agency's screwup meant we had no hotel room.
- There was a major screwup in the kitchen, and dinner was delayed.
- The contractor's financial screwup cost the company thousands.
- Admitting to a screwup is often the first step to fixing it.
- The diplomatic screwup strained relations between the two countries for months.
- Her analysis of the data was flawless; the screwup lay entirely in the implementation phase.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a screw that's been turned the wrong way (screwed up), ruining the mechanism. A 'screwup' ruins a plan.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERROR IS PHYSICAL DAMAGE / MISASSEMBLY (a machine part is screwed up incorrectly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'винт вверх' (nonsense).
- Avoid associating with the neutral word for 'screw' (винт).
- The noun 'screwup' is not the action of tightening a screw.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing the noun 'screwup' with the verb phrase 'screw up' (e.g., 'Don't screwup' is incorrect; it should be 'Don't screw up').
- Spelling as two words ('screw up') when used as a noun (should be 'screwup' or hyphenated 'screw-up').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'screwup' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be considered mildly vulgar, especially in British English, due to the primary meaning of 'screw'. It is not a strong obscenity but should be avoided in formal contexts.
'Screwup' implies a more serious, often careless or incompetent error that leads to noticeable failure or chaos. 'Mistake' is a broader, more neutral term for any error.
Yes, informally. Calling someone 'a screwup' means they are perceived as a person who consistently fails or makes mistakes (e.g., 'He's a total screwup'). This is highly derogatory.
As a noun, both 'screwup' (closed) and 'screw-up' (hyphenated) are accepted, with the closed form becoming more common. As a verb, it's always the phrasal verb 'screw up' (two words).