Definition of mess up

The phrase "mess up" has been part of the English language for over a century, and its origin can be traced back to the early 20th century. At the time, the expression "mess up" was used in military slang to indicate that an operation or mission had gone awry or had been poorly executed. The verb "mess" has been in use since the Middle English period, with its earliest recorded meaning of "mix" or "combine." Over time, it has taken on a range of other meanings, including "dirty" or "disorderly" in the late 14th century. In military contexts, the phrase "mess up" literally referred to the army mess, which was the officers' dining hall or kitchen. If an operation or mission went wrong or was poorly executed, it could result in chaos or disorganization in the mess, leading to confusion and discomfort among the officers. Over time, the phrase "mess up" has evolved to refer more broadly to any situation in which something goes wrong or is poorly executed. Today, it is commonly used in everyday language to describe a variety of mistakes, from small missteps to larger errors or mishaps.