mess1 nounmess2 verb
messmess1 /mes/ ●●● S2 noun 
WORD ORIGINmess1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French mes ‘food’, from Late Latin missus ‘course at a meal’, from Latin mittere ‘to send’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Dave's life was a mess.
- Eric! Get in here and clean up this mess!
- If the dog makes a mess, you clean it up!
- My hair's a mess.
- The house is a total mess.
- The welfare system in this country is a mess.
- There were cups and ashtrays everywhere - what a mess!
- We love having our grandchildren visit, but they always leave such a mess for us to clean up.
- We spent the morning tidying up the mess after the party.
- California's political map is a chaotic mess of overlapping cities, counties and school districts.
- He looked a mess, his face covered in bruises and dried blood.
- Her swollen lips burned and she knew she must look a mess.
- Looking at the economic mess this country is in demonstrates clearly that we need some guidelines and we need them fast.
- Part of the mess were 2 dead medics who were sleeping on cots in the building.
- The girls were being taken in at night after we left and what a mess we got in the morning!
- The inside of the hall was a mess of rubble and charred beams.
- There is still a way out of this economic mess, if Mr Gorbachev can summon up the courage to take it.
Longman Language Activatorto do something in a careless or unskilful way
· I think I did pretty badly in the exam today.· They packed the glass and china for us, but they did it very badly and a lot of stuff got broken.
informal to do something badly because you have made mistakes, often so that you do not get the result you wanted: · I've practiced all week, but I'm still afraid I'll mess up.mess something up: · Don't ask Terry to do it - she'll probably just mess it up.mess up something: · Danny messed up three plays and made us lose the game.
also make a hash of British informal to do something badly and make a lot of mistakes, especially when it is important that you do it well: · Let's be honest. Most people make a mess of handling money.· She picked herself up and started the dance again, determined not to make a hash of it this time.make a complete hash of something: · I made a complete hash of the interview - I don't stand a chance of getting the job.
informal to spoil something you are trying to do, by making stupid mistakes: · If you screw up too many times, they'll kick you off the team.screw something up: · I was so nervous about the driving test that I screwed the whole thing up.screw up something: · My audition was going really well until I screwed the last part up.
to do something badly, especially a job you have been asked to do: · Most people think the mayor is doing a pretty bad job.do a bad job of doing something: · He did such a bad job of labeling these envelopes I don't think I'll ask for his help again.
if an organization or someone in authority bungles what they are trying to do, they fail to do it successfully because of stupid or careless mistakes: · The plan seemed simple enough, but the CIA managed to bungle the operation.· Analysts agree that the company bungled its response to the crisis.
to do something badly, especially a practical job such as making or repairing something, as a result of being too careless or not having enough skill: · They were supposed to fix the roof, but they completely botched the job.botch something up: · We hired someone to fix the computer system, but he botched it up even more.botch up something: · I wouldn't take your car to that garage - they botch up the simplest jobs.
if someone who is in charge mismanages a system or planned piece of work, they do it badly because they did not organize and control it properly: · The whole project was seriously mismanaged from the beginning.· Many people accused the government of mismanaging the environment and indirectly causing the flooding.
informal to do something badly because you are not paying enough attention, especially when it is your turn to do something in a play or in a game: · I was so nervous that I fluffed my lines.· It should have been an easy catch, but he fluffed it.
British to do something less well than you could, in an examination, game etc: · My grandfather was very intelligent, but he never did himself justice at school.· There were a couple of good performances, but most of the players didn't really do themselves justice.
when something is not organized well also disorganised British not arranged according to any kind of order or plan: · She gave a long disorganized speech that left everyone confused.totally/completely disorganized: · Her files were completely disorganized - she could never find anything she wanted.· a totally disorganized rescue effort
also badly organised British not well organized - use this about events or activities that are not successful, because they have not been planned well: · The festival was very badly organized - nobody seemed to know what they were doing.· There was widespread criticism that the relief operation was slow and badly organized.
a business or organization that is badly run produces bad results because it is badly managed or organized: · The company is not badly run, but it still has not made a profit.· Critics say that the mayor's office is badly run and corrupt.
extremely disorganized: · The city is a sprawling chaotic metropolis of some eight million residents.· Newscasts continued to broadcast images of the chaotic minutes after the shooting.· We flew on the day after Christmas and the situation at the airport was completely chaotic.
informal if a situation or event is a mess or a shambles , it is very badly organized or badly controlled, and nothing good or useful is being achieved: · The social security system in this country is a mess.a complete/hopeless etc mess: · The whole conference was a complete mess from start to finish.in a mess/shambles: · The prolonged war has left the nation's economy in a shambles.
if a group such as a political party is in disarray , it is disorganized and no longer effective, especially because the people who belong to it cannot agree with each other and cannot work together: · The defeated army retreated in disarray.in complete/total etc disarray: · The Democrats were in complete disarray after last year's disastrous elections.throw something into disarray (=make it become disorganized): · The chairman's resignation threw the organization into disarray.
to be in a very difficult situation informal to be in a difficult situation and not know what to do: · The team's owner is in a fix - he's spent a lot to improve the stadium, but ticket sales are still declining.· Wyck's business consists of helping, for a fee, computer owners who are in a technical fix.
to be in a very difficult or dangerous situation, when there is very little you can do to get out of it: · A mobile phone lets you reach help when you're in a tight spot.· O'Neill had been in tight corners before, but never as tight as this one.put somebody in a tight spot (=give someone a difficult problem): · Losing his job put them in a tight spot financially.
to have so many problems that there is not much hope that things will get better, especially as a result of past mistakes: · The previous manager had left the restaurant's affairs in a terrible mess.get into a mess: · How did you manage to get into this mess in the first place?somebody's life is a mess (=they have a lot of problems and seem unable to deal with them): · Her boyfriend left her and she lost her job - her life is just a mess at the moment.
to be in a difficult situation because whatever you do, you are likely to offend someone or make things worse: · I was in a difficult position, as I was being asked to confront a man who had much more power than I did.put somebody in a difficult/awkward position: · Clara was angry at Harry for putting her in such an awkward position.
to be in an extremely difficult situation, because whatever you do there will certainly be serious trouble: · I'm in an impossible position -- if I criticize him he may resign, but if I don't he'll end up ruining the whole project.put somebody in an impossible position: · By bringing his objections out into the open, the Chancellor has put the Prime Minister in an impossible position.
to be in a very difficult situation and not be able to decide what is the best thing for you to do: · I was in a quandary - I didn't know whether to tell the police or not.· The government has got itself into a quandary over the new tax -- if they abandon it they will be seen as weak, if they keep it they will be very unpopular.
to have very serious problems, especially financial ones, which could have very serious results: · The company is in dire financial straits.· The team is in such dire straits they've even considered selling their three best players.
spoken say this when you have had a series of problems and you feel that these problems will never end: · It's been one thing after another since I started renting out the place to students.· It's one thing after another with that stupid photocopier! What's wrong with it now?
when things are spread around in a messy way when things are spread around everywhere in a dirty, untidy way: · We spent the morning tidying up the mess after the party.· There were cups and ashtrays everywhere - what a mess!· We love having our grandchildren visit, but they always leave such a mess for us to clean up.
when everything is very untidy, nothing is organized, and there is no order or system: · We've just moved into the new office and I've no idea where anything is - it's chaos!in chaos (=in a state of chaos): · I arrived home unexpectedly and found the house in chaos.
when a lot of things have been left together in one place, especially unnecessary things that prevent you from moving around easily: · It seemed impossible for her to keep the house free of clutter.clutter of: · On the dresser a clutter of compacts, rouges, and lipsticks lie half open.
informal a place that is very messy or dirty: · I'd invite you in, but my place is a disaster.· The kids room is always a disaster area.
person/clothes/hair British /messy American someone who is untidy does not keep their clothes, hair etc neatly arranged: · The little children were dirty and untidy, but very happy.· Her hair was messy and her lipstick was smudged.· He was comically tall and thin with a long growth of untidy beard.
also look a mess British informal to look very untidy: · I can't go out looking like this - I'm a mess.· When the police called, I had just got up, and my hair looked a mess.
British someone who is scruffy is wearing old, untidy clothes: · My parents think I look scruffy in these jeans, but I like them.scruffy clothes/jeans/sweater etc: · She's wearing that scruffy old sweater again.
extremely untidy and careless, and often dirty: · Their landlady was fat and slovenly.· The aide was hired to keep the governor's slovenly brother out of the public eye.
informal someone who is extremely untidy but does not seem to care that they are: · Jo's such a slob - how can you live like that?· If you keep dressing like a slob, no one's ever going to ask you for a date.
especially written someone whose clothes or hair are unkempt , has made no effort to try to look clean or tidy: · Hoskins beard was tangled and unkempt.· She used to dress so neatly, but now her hair and clothes had become unkempt and dirty.
British /disheveled American someone who is dishevelled has untidy hair and clothes, often because they have been in a hurry, or have been travelling or working hard: · He looked dusty, disheveled, and very tired.· The actress was found disheveled and confused in a Los Angeles back yard.· She was conscious of her rather dishevelled appearance.
someone who is bedraggled looks untidy, especially because they are wet or muddy: · A rather bedraggled crowd waited outside in the pouring rain.· The children walked along the path, looking miserable and bedraggled after the storm.
if clothes are rumpled , they have lots of creases in them and they look untidy. (Creases are lines where something has been folded.): · Forman was wearing a rumpled sweatsuit and a three-day beard.· Her dress was as rumpled as if she'd slept in it.
place/room also untidy British if a place is messy or untidy , things have been left carelessly in different parts of it instead of being neatly arranged: · She felt uncomfortable in such a messy house.· He only cleans up his room when it gets really messy.· My desk isn't always this messy - I've been working on a major project.· Jan found the professor in a small, untidy office.· These drawers are so untidy - I can never find what I'm looking for.
also be in a mess British informal if a place is a mess or is in a mess , it is very untidy and dirty: · Please sit down. Sorry everything's such a mess.· My basement is a complete mess and has been for years.· The whole house is in a mess, but I didn't have time to clean it up.
untidy because there are too many things in a small space: · He works in a cluttered studio that looks like a mechanic's garage.· The trailer was cluttered and cramped, with barely enough room to turn around.cluttered with: · The room was tiny, its walls cluttered with paintings and old photographs.
informal a place that is untidy and dirty: · The Ewells' place is a real dump.· Why don't you do something about your room - it's a dump.
also pit American informal an untidy and very dirty place: · This place is a pigsty! Clean it up.· I don't know how you can stand living in a pigsty like this.· My room's a total pit, but I'm too lazy to clean it.
British informal a very untidy place: · Your room's an absolute tip!· It was a very nice house until they moved in and turned it into a tip.
to make a place messy to make a place untidy or dirty: · Eric, you're making a mess - I hope you're planning to clean it up.· You can bake some cookies if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen.
informal to make a place untidy or dirty: mess something up: · Don't mess up the living room - we have company coming tonight.mess up something: · Who's messed up my nice clean kitchen?
if a lot of things clutter a room, desk etc, they make it untidy, especially because there is not enough space for them: · Toys cluttered the nursery floor.clutter up something/clutter something up: · I don't want your old newspapers and magazines cluttering up the house.be cluttered (up) with: · All the available space around her computer is cluttered with papers.· His house was cluttered up with the things he had collected.
WORD SETSabalone, nounacetic acid, nounadditive, nounaftertaste, nounà la carte, adjectiveal dente, adjectivealfresco, adjectiveambrosia, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounantipasto, nounappetizer, nounarrowroot, nounbad, adjectivebaker, nounbaking powder, nounbaking soda, nounbanana split, nounbanger, nounbanquet, nounbanqueting hall, nounbarbie, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbass, nounbatch, nounbay leaf, nounBBQ, nounbean, nounbean curd, nounbeansprout, nounbeef, nounbeefburger, nounbeefsteak, nounbeet, nounbell pepper, nounberry, nounbetel, nounbetel nut, nounbicarbonate of soda, nounbilberry, nounbill of fare, nounbinge, nounbinge, verbbistro, nounblackberry, nounblack-eyed bean, nounblack pepper, nounblack pudding, nounblend, verbblend, nounblueberry, nounboard, nounbolt, verbbone, verbbon vivant, nounbony, adjectivebox lunch, nounbramble, nounbran, nounbrandy butter, nounbrasserie, nounbrawn, nounbreakfast, nounbrisket, nounbroiler, nounbroiler chicken, nounbroth, nounbrown rice, nounbrunch, nounbubble gum, nounbuckwheat, nounbuffet, nounbun, nounbus, verbbusboy, nounbutcher, nounbutcher, verbbutchery, nounbuttercream, nounbutty, nouncafé, nouncafeteria, nouncaff, nouncaffeine, nouncake, nouncan, verbcandy, nouncanned, adjectivecapon, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarbohydrate, nouncare package, nouncarvery, nouncassava, nouncater, verbcaterer, nouncatering, nouncatsup, nouncatwalk, nouncayenne pepper, nouncereal, nouncheese, nounchef, nouncherry tomato, nounchickpea, nounchilli, nounChinese, nounchip shop, nounchives, nounchocolate, nounchocolatey, adjectiveChristmas dinner, nounchuck steak, nouncitric acid, nouncitron, nounclotted cream, nounclub sandwich, nouncob, nouncobbler, nouncocoa, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut milk, nouncoffee house, nouncoffee shop, nouncold cuts, nouncold storage, nouncold store, nouncommissary, nounconcentrate, nouncondensed milk, nouncondiment, nouncone, nounconfection, nounconfectioner, nounconfectioner's sugar, nounconfectionery, nounconserve, nouncontent, nouncontinental breakfast, nounconvenience food, nouncook-chill, adjectivecooker, nouncookie, nouncooking, nouncooking oil, nouncorn bread, nouncorn chip, nouncorncob, nouncorned beef, nouncornet, nouncornflakes, nouncornflour, nouncornmeal, nouncorn on the cob, nouncorn pone, nouncornstarch, nouncorn syrup, nouncottage cheese, nouncotton candy, nouncourgette, nouncourse, nouncover charge, nouncrab, nouncrab apple, nouncracker, nouncrackling, nouncranberry, nouncrayfish, nouncream, nouncream cheese, nouncream cracker, nouncreamer, nouncreamy, adjectivecress, nouncrisp, nouncrisp, adjectivecrispbread, nouncrispy, adjectivecroissant, nouncroquette, nouncrouton, nouncrumb, nouncrumpet, nouncrunchy, adjectivecrust, nouncrusty, adjectivecrystallized, adjectivecucumber, nouncud, nouncuisine, nouncupcake, nouncurd, nouncurdle, verbcurrant, nouncustard, nouncut, nouncutlet, noundainty, nounDanish pastry, noundate, noundefrost, verbdelicacy, noundemerara sugar, noundesiccated, adjectivedevilled, adjectivedevour, verbdiabetic, adjectivedigest, verbdigestible, adjectivedill, noundill pickle, noundine, verbdiner, noundining car, noundinner, noundinner dance, noundinner party, noundinner theater, noundinnertime, noundissolve, verbdoggy bag, noundoily, noundollop, noundough, noundown, verbdrain, verbdredge, verbdried, adjectivedried fruit, noundripping, noundrumstick, noundry goods, noundunk, verbEaster egg, nouneat, verbeatery, nouneating apple, nouneats, nounEccles cake, nounéclair, nounEdam, nounedible, adjectiveeel, nounegg, nouneggplant, nounegg roll, nounelevenses, nounendive, nounEnglish breakfast, nounEnglish muffin, nounentrée, nounepicure, nounescalope, nounevaporated milk, nounfast food, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfeta cheese, nounfig, nounfilbert, nounfillet, verbfilling, adjectivefilling, nounfilo, nounflounder, nounfloury, adjectiveflyblown, adjectivefoil, nounfoodstuff, nounforage, nounfork, verbfortify, verbfreeze-dried, adjectiveFrench bean, nounFrench bread, nounFrench dressing, nounFrench fry, nounFrench loaf, nounFrench stick, nounfries, nounfromage frais, nounfrozen, adjectivefruit, nounfudge, nounfull-fat, adjectivegaram masala, noungarlic, noungarnish, noungarnish, verbgastronomic, adjectivegastronomy, noungel, verbginger, nounglass, nounglassware, noungolden raisin, noungoody, noungourmand, noungrain, nounGranary, adjectivegranulated, adjectivegreasy, adjectivegreasy spoon, noungreen, adjectivegrill, noungristle, noungrocer, nounground, adjectiveground beef, noungrub, noungruel, nounguava, noungum, noungumball, noungumbo, noungumdrop, nounhalal, adjectivehalibut, nounham, nounhamburger, nounhaunch, nounhead table, nounhealth food, nounheart, nounhearty, adjectiveheat, nounherb, nounhigh tea, nounhome economics, nounhot dish, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveiceman, nounindigestible, adjectiveindigestion, nouninedible, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveingest, verbinn, nouninsipid, adjectiveintake, nounirradiate, verbjellied, adjectivejoint, nounjuice, nounjuicy, adjectivejunk, nounjunk food, nounknuckle, nounkosher, adjectivelaxative, nounlean, adjectiveleavings, nounleg, nounlight, adjectiveliquorice, nounlive, adjectiveloaf, nounlocker, nounloin, nounlotus, nounlukewarm, adjectivelump, nounlunch, nounlunch, verblunchbox, nounlunch break, nounluncheon, nounlunch hour, nounlunchroom, nounlunchtime, nounluscious, adjectivemace, nounMadeira cake, nounmain course, nounmaitre d', nounmaize, nounmandarin, nounmandarin orange, nounmangetout, nounmango, nounmaple syrup, nounmargarine, nounmarge, nounmarmalade, nounmarrow, nounmarshmallow, nounMason jar, nounmasticate, verbmature, adjectivemature, verbmeal, nounmealie, nounmealtime, nounmealy, adjectivemeat, nounmeat-packing, nounmeaty, adjectivemellow, adjectivementhol, nounmentholated, adjectivemenu, nounmess, nounmess, verbmess hall, nounmilk chocolate, nounmillet, nounmince, nounmint, nounmocha, nounmolasses, nounmoreish, adjectivemorsel, nounmouldy, adjectivemouth, nounmouthful, nounMSG, nounmunch, verbmung bean, nounmush, nounmushroom, nounmustard, nounnibble, verbnibble, nounnosh, nounnourish, verbnourishment, nounnugget, nounnut, nounnutcracker, nounnutshell, nounnutty, adjectiveoatmeal, nounoats, nounoffal, nounokra, nounon, prepositiononion, nounorder, nounoregano, nounorganic, adjectiveoverindulge, verboxtail, nounpackaging, nounpacker, nounpap, nounparcel, nounpaste, nounpastille, nounpastry, nounpatisserie, nounpearl barley, nounpectin, nounpeel, verbpeel, nounpepper, nounpepper, verbpeppercorn, nounpeppermint, nounperishable, adjectivepetit four, nounpiccalilli, nounpicnic, nounpicnic, verbpie, nounpilaff, nounpilau, nounpimento, nounpinto bean, nounpit, nounpizza parlor, nounpizzeria, nounplain chocolate, nounplain flour, nounploughman's lunch, nounpoor boy, nounpork, nounpork pie, nounpork rinds, nounporridge, nounporterhouse steak, nounportion, nounpostprandial, adjectivepotato, nounpotato crisp, nounpotted, adjectivepoultry, nounpraline, nounprawn, nounprepacked, adjectivepreservative, nounpreserve, verbpreserve, nounpretzel, nounprovision, verbprune, nounpuff pastry, nounpumpernickel, nounpumpkin, nounpuree, verbquince, nounQuorn, nounrabbit, nounrancid, adjectiverare, adjectiveravenous, adjectiveraw, adjectivered meat, nounreheat, verbrennet, nounrepast, nounreplete, adjectiverestaurant, nounrestaurant car, nounrestaurateur, nounrib, nounrice, nounrigatoni, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveroadhouse, nounrock, nounroe, nounroll, nounroot vegetable, nounrose hip, nounrusk, nounrutabaga, nounsaccharin, nounsalad cream, nounsalad dressing, nounsalami, nounsalmon, nounsalsa, nounsalt, verbsalt, adjectivesalty, adjectivesandwich, nounsardine, nounsassafras, nounsatisfying, adjectivesatsuma, nounsauerkraut, nounsausage, nounscallion, nounscampi, nounscone, nounscoop, nounScotch broth, nounscratchings, nounseafood, nounseasoned, adjectiveseed, verbsemolina, nounservery, nounservice charge, nounserving, nounset, adjectiveshallot, nounshellfish, nounsherbet, nounshish kebab, nounshortbread, nounshortcake, nounshortcrust pastry, nounshoulder, nounshrimp cocktail, nounside order, nounsillabub, nounsimnel cake, nounsingle cream, nounsirloin, nounsitting, nounskimmed milk, nounskin, nounskin, verbslaw, nounslice, nounsliced bread, nounsloe, nounsloppy joe, nounsmorgasbord, nounsnack bar, nounsnow pea, nounsoda fountain, nounsodium chloride, nounsoft fruit, nounsorghum, nounsoul food, nounsour, adjectivesour, verbsourdough, nounsoya, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounsponge, nounsponge cake, nounsponge pudding, nounspoon, verbspoonful, nounspotted dick, nounspread, nounspring onion, nounspring roll, nounsprout, nounspud, nounsquash, nounsquid, nounstaple, nounstarfruit, nounstarter, nounsteak, nounsteakhouse, nounsteak tartare, nounstew, nounstick, nounStilton, nounstir-fry, verbstodge, nounstone-ground, adjectivestrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstringy, adjectivestrudel, nounsub, nounsucrose, nounsuet, nounsugar, nounsugar, verbsugar-coated, adjectivesugar cube, nounsugar lump, nounsugary, adjectivesultana, nounsun-dried, adjectivesup, verbsupper, nounsustenance, nounswallow, verbswallow, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweetened condensed milk, nounsweetener, nounsweetmeat, nounsweet pepper, nounsweet potato, nounsyrup, nounsyrupy, adjectivetable d'hôte, nountaco, nountaffy, nountainted, adjectivetakeaway, nountakeout, nountangerine, nountapas, nountapioca, nountaramasalata, nountariff, nountart, nountartare sauce, nountaste, verbtasteless, adjectivetaster, nountasting, nountater, nountattie, nounT-bone steak, nountea, nounteacake, nountender, adjectivetin, nountinned, adjectivetitbit, nountoffee apple, nountofu, nountomato, nountongue, nountop, nountopping, nountop round, nountopside, nountop table, nountortilla, nountough, adjectivetransport cafe, nountreacle, nountrifle, nountripe, nountrotter, nountruck stop, nountruffle, nountub, nountuna, nounturkey, nounTurkish delight, nounturnip, nounturnover, nountutti frutti, nounTV dinner, nounTVP, noununadulterated, adjectiveunleavened, adjectiveunpalatable, adjectivevacuum-packed, adjectivevanilla, nounveal, nounvegan, nounvegetable, nounvegetarian, nounvegetarianism, nounveggie, nounvenison, nounvictual, verbvictuals, nounvoracious, adjectivevoucher, nounwaiter, nounwaitress, nounwalnut, noun-ware, suffixwarmed-over, adjectivewedge, nounwell, nounwell-done, adjectivewell-fed, adjectivewet fish, nounwheat, nounwhite, nounwhite flour, nounwhite pepper, nounwhite sauce, nounwholefood, nounwholemeal, adjectivewhole wheat, adjectivewiener, nounwild rice, nounwishbone, nounwrap, nounyeast extract, nounyoghurt, nounyogurt, nounyolk, nounyule log, nounyummy, adjectivezucchini, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Sorry – the place is a bit of a mess. When I got home, the house was a complete mess. You can make cookies if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen. Whoever is responsible for this mess can clear it up immediately! My life’s such a mess. You got us into this mess, Terry. You can get us out of it. All she could do was pray that, somehow, she might be able to sort out the mess she had got herself into. We had lunch in the officers’ mess. The dog’s made a mess on the carpet.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES That’s another fine mess (=bad situation) he’s got himself into. an unholy messCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
Sorry – the place is a bit of a mess. When I got home, the house was a complete mess. You can make cookies if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen. Whoever is responsible for this mess can clear it up immediately! My life’s such a mess. You got us into this mess, Terry. You can get us out of it. All she could do was pray that, somehow, she might be able to sort out the mess she had got herself into. We had lunch in the officers’ mess. The dog’s made a mess on the carpet. That’s another fine mess (=bad situation) he’s got himself into. an unholy mess· For one thing, they do not look right; for another, the decaying foliage makes an awful untidy mess.· He comes in about six o'clock this mornin' and he's in an awful mess.
· It is a big and expensive mess.· Of course, that made an even bigger mess, which caused more titters and giggles.
· Well, I mean, it's the whole bloody mess.· His back was a bloody torn mess.
· The flat was a complete mess.· Even if you make a complete mess of it, the model only has a few inches to fall.· The hotel below the line where the water had finally peaked was a complete mess.· I wore my jeans but I felt a complete mess.· Scanners capture images as a pattern of dots, changing the proportions can instantly turn an acceptable image into a complete mess!
· There is still a way out of this economic mess, if Mr Gorbachev can summon up the courage to take it.· Looking at the economic mess this country is in demonstrates clearly that we need some guidelines and we need them fast.· Britain is in an economic mess and we need level-headed, responsible leaders to pull us out of it.· We find it hysterically funny, though it is a sad metaphor for the economic mess this country is in.· For nobody can understand what the Government is doing to clear up the economic mess it has created.
· The shame of getting into such a financial mess was too much to admit.· At Adobe, Warnock has been cleaning up a few financial messes of late.· I need a new designer and you need to find a way out of a considerable financial mess.
· She wondered about the tall east window above the altar - that would make a fine mess if it fell in.· A fine little mess, no?· That's another fine mess they've got themselves into.
· Covered with paint and jangling jewellery, a real mess, she was.· The parking should be a real mess this year.· But be careful, Write-Protect labels can come off inside the drive an cause a real mess!· It was a real mess, I tell you.· He looked a real mess at the airport, and I don't think we helped matters.
· After he had gone I found that my nightie was covered in a horrible sticky mess with a strange sour smell.· In my experience, certain essential oils, cedarwood in particular, can cause rubber to perish into a sticky mess.· I opened two bottles that I retrieved from the sticky mess on the cabin floor.· He reached forward, and gently spread the sticky mess over her smooth flesh with his fingertips.· When too many snap, the whole web collapses into a sticky mess.
· Oh, but the damage was so terrible, the mess so unspeakable, that he did not know where to begin.· It is hard to believe that you will be able to make something happen to get you out of this terrible mess.· And they've left the most terrible mess in their bedrooms.· The economy is still in a terrible mess.· Cat makes a terrible mess of another client's hair.· And the stage was in a terrible mess, all blood and vomit, and the scenery all smashed up.· Not yet a terrible mess, but a vaguely irritating, vaguely disquieting, formless mess.· Trying to take off our socks first will cause a terrible mess.
· From the unholy mess that was the latter-day Smiths, to a period of hope and promise.· As far as he was concerned she was up to her gorgeous neck in this unholy mess.
· Until this whole ridiculous mess is sorted out you're involved right up to your pretty little neck.· First up in this whole mess is Col.· Well, I mean, it's the whole bloody mess.· After the whole mess was over, it made sense.· That ought to be enough to bargain myself clear of the whole mess.· Ironically, of the three, Whalen seems most ready to put the whole mess behind him.· The whole impeachment mess has finally come to an ungainly end but the ultimate significance of the debacle seems clear.· I talked to Eberhart at length about this whole mess.
NOUN· He joined every other prisoner in the mess hall for breakfast each morning at six-thirty.· Eventually, because the mess hall would close, they allowed my commands to get through.· In the mess hall I had orange juice, cereal, ham and eggs and coffee.· Then it was double time to the mess hall, and chin-ups and push-ups outside.· I bumped into him by accident at the compound mess hall.· The water was delivered to the mess hall.· I found the officers already assembled at one of the long tables in the mess hall.
· From the cupboard beside the screwed-down floor safe, he had taken a mess tin in which he kept his shoe-shining kit.· We finished our soup and swilled out the mess tins with water from the jerry-can.· The mess tin went back into the cupboard.· Each man got a mug of lime juice and water, and a mess tin of dates.· Some one brought me a mess tin half full of very hot tea; it tasted good.
VERB· He then commanded one of his daughters-in-law to clean up the mess.· But they are merely marginal figures that mostly clean up the mess.· Mr Marland wants action to clean up the mess once and for all.· The use of public funds to clean up the jusen mess will be the main focus of the session.· Scientists are now drawing up plans to clean up the mess.· Just write and go back later to clean up the mess.· Now taxpayers must pay hundreds of billions of dollars to clean up the mess left by under-capitalised thrifts.· When a child cleans up her mess, thank her.
· We need an election and a Labour Government to clear up the mess.· Regulators are busily clearing up the mess.· In alcoholism: Not clearing up physical messes caused by the primary sufferer.· This keeps him happy until it is time to go to the nursery by which time she has cleared up the mess.· Pondering these matters, she went through to the front room to clear up the mess.· It would have been like Donleavy to try to clear up the Asmar mess himself.· A J-C-B digger was brought in, but it still took more than three hours to clear up the mess.· Why hadn't Corbett cleared this mess up?
· In the middle of all this tidiness Fosdyke created his own particular mess.· You need to scratch out your words, creating an inky mess.· It was a mess ... she had created a ghastly mess.
· I want you and the company to find some way to get me out of this mess I've been landed in.· Q.. How did we get into this mess?· How on earth had they managed to get themselves into this mess?· How are we to get out of the present mess?· I clean her up but she just gets in a mess again.· Exactly how Hackney got into such a mess is open to question.· It was Clive who had got her into this mess.· You lot get all this mess cleared up and ready to go.
· And they've left the most terrible mess in their bedrooms.· The girls were being taken in at night after we left and what a mess we got in the morning!· No, the hard part was wrecking the safe and leaving a mess.· He left a fair old mess behind him, by the way, when he disappeared.· Their teammates were stuck, left to finish the mess.· The police had left a mess in his place: he'd be busy.
· Like yesterday, when I'd had my hair cut, he did say it looked a mess before!· Do you suppose our City Manager should be looking into this mess, too?· Many of the new shops look a mess.· She approaches girlhood through adulthood, and boy, does it look like a mess.· I knew I looked a mess and I could not face going into class in that state.· There, onlookers peer in through the windows, looking at the strange mess inside.· Fran closed the door and stood silently looking at the mess.· He looked at their camp mess spread around the hearth.
· It's all these visitors; they make such a mess.· If a company is in a mess, growth simply makes the mess bigger.· Of course, that made an even bigger mess, which caused more titters and giggles.· Even if you make a complete mess of it, the model only has a few inches to fall.· An explosion would have made a mess of them, and matchsticks of that tub.· Do not be too quick to blame the puppy if it makes a mess when you are indoors.· I doubt if the boys realized they were making this big a mess when they did this.
· Its Transitional Assistance Group was utterly inadequate to sort out the mess.· Then sort through the larger mess.· She needed space and time to think, time to sort out this mess of mixed emotions.· Now lawyers for all sides are trying to sort out the mess.· Now banks and councils have to sort out the mess.· The firm had to close while an expert sorted out the mess, the Old Bailey heard.· They are the ones who, at present, have to sort out the mess after the degree ceremonies have been long forgotten.· In the end President Mitterrand chose his friend Pierre Berge, head of a fashion house, to sort out the mess.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1dirty/untidy [singular, uncountable] if there is a mess somewhere or a place is a mess, things there are dirty or not neatly arranged: - An explosion would have made a mess of them, and matchsticks of that tub.
- Convinced of his own plainness, Graham is here engaged in taking Jenny out and making a mess of kissing her.
- Hands were wrung in every quarter at the prospect of homosexuals making a mess of this fine, strong outfit.
- He made a mess of things in the park, but it's the first time he's got it wrong.
- If I make a mess of it that woman is going to be so glad.
- Most people make a mess of handling money.
- She made a mess of her life.
- The shell hit the roof of the building and made a mess of the inside of the building.
- I can't go out looking like this - I'm a mess.
- My basement is a complete mess and has been for years.
- Please sit down. Sorry everything's such a mess.
- The whole house is in a mess, but I didn't have time to clean it up.
- When the police called, I had just got up, and my hair looked a mess.
- Garbage collection and street cleaning were haphazard, public transportation was a mess.
- It was a mess ... she had created a ghastly mess.
- Nothing had worked out in S. F. Everything was a mess.
- The constituency's middle ground is a mess.
- The inside of the hall was a mess of rubble and charred beams.
- When legering from a punt you don't want to be messing about with indicators that require two hands to set.
- a mess of fresh fish
- By the door, in the middle of the working class district of Prenzlauer Berg, a mess of candles flutter.
- He found them in a mess of vomit.
- I expect he found he'd sold his working-class birthright for a mess of Bloomsbury pottage.
- I was afraid of doing something wrong and ending up at the bottom in a mess of twisted metal and broken bones.
- Most people make a mess of handling money.
- Polar Star is no exception; its lovely clueless opening soon snarls up in a mess of motives and half-finished characters.
- The doors opened up to a mess of more wrapped, framed works scattered everywhere.
- The shell hit the roof of the building and made a mess of the inside of the building.
What a mess! Sorry – the place is a bit of a mess. When I got home, the house was a complete mess.in a mess British English The burglars left the house in an awful mess. You can make cookies if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen.clear/clean up the mess Whoever is responsible for this mess can clear it up immediately! She hates mess.2problems/difficulties [singular, uncountable] a situation in which there are a lot of problems and difficulties, especially as a result of mistakes or carelessness: My life’s such a mess.in a mess The economy is in a terrible mess. You got us into this mess, Terry. You can get us out of it. All she could do was pray that, somehow, she might be able to sort out the mess she had got herself into.3make a mess of (doing) something to do something badly: I feel I’ve made a real mess of my marriage. Many people make a mess of handling money.4person be a mess informal if someone is a mess, they look dirty and untidy, or are in a bad emotional state5a mess of something American English informal a lot of something: a mess of fresh fish6army/navy [countable] a room in which members of the army, navy etc eat and drink together: We had lunch in the officers’ mess.7waste substance [countable, uncountable] British English informal solid waste from an animal: The dog’s made a mess on the carpet.mess1 nounmess2 verb
messmess2 ●●○ S3 verb VERB TABLE
mess
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | mess |
| he, she, it | messes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | messed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have messed |
| he, she, it | has messed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had messed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will mess |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have messed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am messing |
| he, she, it | is messing | |
| you, we, they | are messing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was messing |
| you, we, they | were messing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been messing |
| he, she, it | has been messing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been messing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be messing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been messing |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Above all, why were these chaps messing around with helium-filled contraptions, in an age of routine rocketry?
- At first they think the builders have messed up the drains.
- Hey, man, are you messing with my Phyllis?
- So even when he'd got the drop on them they could still count on messing him around somehow.
- The lowest levels of activities are not messed with.
- The team improves, and the weaselly son gets too profit-minded and temporarily messes things up by selling Ed.
- There remains the danger that the national farming crisis might mess up the Six Nations fixtures.
- We were like each other; she knew what she wanted and she didn't mess around.
Longman Language Activatorto behave badly
to be rude, unhelpful, or unpleasant and not do what you are told to do: · I knew I'd behaved very badly, and I was sorry.· The kids behaved so badly that I was embarrassed.
someone who is badly behaved behaves badly - use this especially about children: · The hotel was full of badly behaved celebrities.
if children misbehave , they deliberately behave badly by being noisy, rude etc: · Kids often misbehave when they are bored or tired.· We never dared to misbehave in Miss Dill's classes.
if someone gets into trouble , they do something that is illegal or against the rules, especially something not very serious, and get caught doing it: · Tony is always getting into trouble at school.· Don't copy my work or we'll both get into trouble.get into trouble with: · He first got into trouble with the police at the age of 15.
if someone is up to no good , they are secretly doing something that they should not do - use this especially when you think someone may be doing something bad, but you are not completely sure: · She knew that her brother was up to no good but she didn't tell anyone.
also play up British informal to behave badly by being very active and noisy - use this especially about children: · During his parents' divorce, Robert began acting up in class.· The kids have been playing up all afternoon. They're driving me mad.
also muck about British informal to behave in a silly way when you should be working or paying attention: · Stop messing around and pay attention!· They just mucked about all afternoon and went home early.mess around with: · Paul blew off his fingers messing around with homemade rockets.
British informal to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before someone gets angry with you or punishes you: · For your first few days' teaching, the kids will probably try it on just to see how you react.· At home she's allowed to tell everyone what to do, but she wouldn't dare try it on at work.
to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders, especially in a situation where everyone is expected to be very obedient: · The prisoners were warned that if they stepped out of line they would be severely punished.· The boss is very tough on anyone who steps out of line.
to do something in a careless or unskilful way · I think I did pretty badly in the exam today.· They packed the glass and china for us, but they did it very badly and a lot of stuff got broken.
informal to do something badly because you have made mistakes, often so that you do not get the result you wanted: · I've practiced all week, but I'm still afraid I'll mess up.mess something up: · Don't ask Terry to do it - she'll probably just mess it up.mess up something: · Danny messed up three plays and made us lose the game.
also make a hash of British informal to do something badly and make a lot of mistakes, especially when it is important that you do it well: · Let's be honest. Most people make a mess of handling money.· She picked herself up and started the dance again, determined not to make a hash of it this time.make a complete hash of something: · I made a complete hash of the interview - I don't stand a chance of getting the job.
informal to spoil something you are trying to do, by making stupid mistakes: · If you screw up too many times, they'll kick you off the team.screw something up: · I was so nervous about the driving test that I screwed the whole thing up.screw up something: · My audition was going really well until I screwed the last part up.
to do something badly, especially a job you have been asked to do: · Most people think the mayor is doing a pretty bad job.do a bad job of doing something: · He did such a bad job of labeling these envelopes I don't think I'll ask for his help again.
if an organization or someone in authority bungles what they are trying to do, they fail to do it successfully because of stupid or careless mistakes: · The plan seemed simple enough, but the CIA managed to bungle the operation.· Analysts agree that the company bungled its response to the crisis.
to do something badly, especially a practical job such as making or repairing something, as a result of being too careless or not having enough skill: · They were supposed to fix the roof, but they completely botched the job.botch something up: · We hired someone to fix the computer system, but he botched it up even more.botch up something: · I wouldn't take your car to that garage - they botch up the simplest jobs.
if someone who is in charge mismanages a system or planned piece of work, they do it badly because they did not organize and control it properly: · The whole project was seriously mismanaged from the beginning.· Many people accused the government of mismanaging the environment and indirectly causing the flooding.
informal to do something badly because you are not paying enough attention, especially when it is your turn to do something in a play or in a game: · I was so nervous that I fluffed my lines.· It should have been an easy catch, but he fluffed it.
British to do something less well than you could, in an examination, game etc: · My grandfather was very intelligent, but he never did himself justice at school.· There were a couple of good performances, but most of the players didn't really do themselves justice.
to spoil someone's work or plans · Don't let me spoil your plans.· This scandal could spoil the Senator's chances of becoming President.· We were going to get married, but then war broke out and spoiled everything.spoil something for somebody · Starting a family so soon would definitely spoil her career prospects for her.
to completely spoil what someone has been trying to do: · Surely you don't want to ruin all our good work, do you?· Serious in-fighting ruined the Conservatives' chances of winning the election.
informal to spoil something important or something that has been carefully planned: mess up something: · The travel agents messed up the arrangements and there was no room for us at the hotel.mess something up: · We secretly organized a party for her, but then Bill messed everything up by telling her about it.
to spoil something that has taken a long time to develop: · The kidnappings undermined several months of delicate peace negotiations.· The US was accused of undermining international efforts to combat global warming.
informal to completely spoil something such as a plan, especially by doing something stupid: · Someone screwed up and what was supposed to be a confidential email was copies to everyone in the company.screw something up: · I can't trust you to do anything right can I? You always manage to screw things up.screw up something: · There was no way he was going to allow her to screw up his plans.
to deliberately spoil someone's plans or arrangements because you do not want them to succeed: · Her father sabotaged her acting ambitions by refusing to let her go to drama school.· The attack is being seen as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the peace talks.
British /throw a monkey wrench in/into something American informal to unexpectedly do something that prevents a plan or process from continuing or succeeding: · "He won't lend us the money after all.'' "Well, that's really thrown a spanner in the works, hasn't it?''· The President's veto threw a wrench into a program that had already been approved by a big majority of the Congress.
to spoil someone's plan, suggestion, or attitude towards something, by saying something that makes it seem less attractive or less likely to succeed: · Her mother had poured cold water on the whole idea of Eva going to Africa.· The committee's final report, just published, pours cold water on government proposals for helping the unemployed.
to make a place messy to make a place untidy or dirty: · Eric, you're making a mess - I hope you're planning to clean it up.· You can bake some cookies if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen.
informal to make a place untidy or dirty: mess something up: · Don't mess up the living room - we have company coming tonight.mess up something: · Who's messed up my nice clean kitchen?
if a lot of things clutter a room, desk etc, they make it untidy, especially because there is not enough space for them: · Toys cluttered the nursery floor.clutter up something/clutter something up: · I don't want your old newspapers and magazines cluttering up the house.be cluttered (up) with: · All the available space around her computer is cluttered with papers.· His house was cluttered up with the things he had collected.
WORD SETSabalone, nounacetic acid, nounadditive, nounaftertaste, nounà la carte, adjectiveal dente, adjectivealfresco, adjectiveambrosia, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounantipasto, nounappetizer, nounarrowroot, nounbad, adjectivebaker, nounbaking powder, nounbaking soda, nounbanana split, nounbanger, nounbanquet, nounbanqueting hall, nounbarbie, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbass, nounbatch, nounbay leaf, nounBBQ, nounbean, nounbean curd, nounbeansprout, nounbeef, nounbeefburger, nounbeefsteak, nounbeet, nounbell pepper, nounberry, nounbetel, nounbetel nut, nounbicarbonate of soda, nounbilberry, nounbill of fare, nounbinge, nounbinge, verbbistro, nounblackberry, nounblack-eyed bean, nounblack pepper, nounblack pudding, nounblend, verbblend, nounblueberry, nounboard, nounbolt, verbbone, verbbon vivant, nounbony, adjectivebox lunch, nounbramble, nounbran, nounbrandy butter, nounbrasserie, nounbrawn, nounbreakfast, nounbrisket, nounbroiler, nounbroiler chicken, nounbroth, nounbrown rice, nounbrunch, nounbubble gum, nounbuckwheat, nounbuffet, nounbun, nounbus, verbbusboy, nounbutcher, nounbutcher, verbbutchery, nounbuttercream, nounbutty, nouncafé, nouncafeteria, nouncaff, nouncaffeine, nouncake, nouncan, verbcandy, nouncanned, adjectivecapon, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarbohydrate, nouncare package, nouncarvery, nouncassava, nouncater, verbcaterer, nouncatering, nouncatsup, nouncatwalk, nouncayenne pepper, nouncereal, nouncheese, nounchef, nouncherry tomato, nounchickpea, nounchilli, nounChinese, nounchip shop, nounchives, nounchocolate, nounchocolatey, adjectiveChristmas dinner, nounchuck steak, nouncitric acid, nouncitron, nounclotted cream, nounclub sandwich, nouncob, nouncobbler, nouncocoa, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut milk, nouncoffee house, nouncoffee shop, nouncold cuts, nouncold storage, nouncold store, nouncommissary, nounconcentrate, nouncondensed milk, nouncondiment, nouncone, nounconfection, nounconfectioner, nounconfectioner's sugar, nounconfectionery, nounconserve, nouncontent, nouncontinental breakfast, nounconvenience food, nouncook-chill, adjectivecooker, nouncookie, nouncooking, nouncooking oil, nouncorn bread, nouncorn chip, nouncorncob, nouncorned beef, nouncornet, nouncornflakes, nouncornflour, nouncornmeal, nouncorn on the cob, nouncorn pone, nouncornstarch, nouncorn syrup, nouncottage cheese, nouncotton candy, nouncourgette, nouncourse, nouncover charge, nouncrab, nouncrab apple, nouncracker, nouncrackling, nouncranberry, nouncrayfish, nouncream, nouncream cheese, nouncream cracker, nouncreamer, nouncreamy, adjectivecress, nouncrisp, nouncrisp, adjectivecrispbread, nouncrispy, adjectivecroissant, nouncroquette, nouncrouton, nouncrumb, nouncrumpet, nouncrunchy, adjectivecrust, nouncrusty, adjectivecrystallized, adjectivecucumber, nouncud, nouncuisine, nouncupcake, nouncurd, nouncurdle, verbcurrant, nouncustard, nouncut, nouncutlet, noundainty, nounDanish pastry, noundate, noundefrost, verbdelicacy, noundemerara sugar, noundesiccated, adjectivedevilled, adjectivedevour, verbdiabetic, adjectivedigest, verbdigestible, adjectivedill, noundill pickle, noundine, verbdiner, noundining car, noundinner, noundinner dance, noundinner party, noundinner theater, noundinnertime, noundissolve, verbdoggy bag, noundoily, noundollop, noundough, noundown, verbdrain, verbdredge, verbdried, adjectivedried fruit, noundripping, noundrumstick, noundry goods, noundunk, verbEaster egg, nouneat, verbeatery, nouneating apple, nouneats, nounEccles cake, nounéclair, nounEdam, nounedible, adjectiveeel, nounegg, nouneggplant, nounegg roll, nounelevenses, nounendive, nounEnglish breakfast, nounEnglish muffin, nounentrée, nounepicure, nounescalope, nounevaporated milk, nounfast food, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfeta cheese, nounfig, nounfilbert, nounfillet, verbfilling, adjectivefilling, nounfilo, nounflounder, nounfloury, adjectiveflyblown, adjectivefoil, nounfoodstuff, nounforage, nounfork, verbfortify, verbfreeze-dried, adjectiveFrench bean, nounFrench bread, nounFrench dressing, nounFrench fry, nounFrench loaf, nounFrench stick, nounfries, nounfromage frais, nounfrozen, adjectivefruit, nounfudge, nounfull-fat, adjectivegaram masala, noungarlic, noungarnish, noungarnish, verbgastronomic, adjectivegastronomy, noungel, verbginger, nounglass, nounglassware, noungolden raisin, noungoody, noungourmand, noungrain, nounGranary, adjectivegranulated, adjectivegreasy, adjectivegreasy spoon, noungreen, adjectivegrill, noungristle, noungrocer, nounground, adjectiveground beef, noungrub, noungruel, nounguava, noungum, noungumball, noungumbo, noungumdrop, nounhalal, adjectivehalibut, nounham, nounhamburger, nounhaunch, nounhead table, nounhealth food, nounheart, nounhearty, adjectiveheat, nounherb, nounhigh tea, nounhome economics, nounhot dish, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveiceman, nounindigestible, adjectiveindigestion, nouninedible, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveingest, verbinn, nouninsipid, adjectiveintake, nounirradiate, verbjellied, adjectivejoint, nounjuice, nounjuicy, adjectivejunk, nounjunk food, nounknuckle, nounkosher, adjectivelaxative, nounlean, adjectiveleavings, nounleg, nounlight, adjectiveliquorice, nounlive, adjectiveloaf, nounlocker, nounloin, nounlotus, nounlukewarm, adjectivelump, nounlunch, nounlunch, verblunchbox, nounlunch break, nounluncheon, nounlunch hour, nounlunchroom, nounlunchtime, nounluscious, adjectivemace, nounMadeira cake, nounmain course, nounmaitre d', nounmaize, nounmandarin, nounmandarin orange, nounmangetout, nounmango, nounmaple syrup, nounmargarine, nounmarge, nounmarmalade, nounmarrow, nounmarshmallow, nounMason jar, nounmasticate, verbmature, adjectivemature, verbmeal, nounmealie, nounmealtime, nounmealy, adjectivemeat, nounmeat-packing, nounmeaty, adjectivemellow, adjectivementhol, nounmentholated, adjectivemenu, nounmess, nounmess, verbmess hall, nounmilk chocolate, nounmillet, nounmince, nounmint, nounmocha, nounmolasses, nounmoreish, adjectivemorsel, nounmouldy, adjectivemouth, nounmouthful, nounMSG, nounmunch, verbmung bean, nounmush, nounmushroom, nounmustard, nounnibble, verbnibble, nounnosh, nounnourish, verbnourishment, nounnugget, nounnut, nounnutcracker, nounnutshell, nounnutty, adjectiveoatmeal, nounoats, nounoffal, nounokra, nounon, prepositiononion, nounorder, nounoregano, nounorganic, adjectiveoverindulge, verboxtail, nounpackaging, nounpacker, nounpap, nounparcel, nounpaste, nounpastille, nounpastry, nounpatisserie, nounpearl barley, nounpectin, nounpeel, verbpeel, nounpepper, nounpepper, verbpeppercorn, nounpeppermint, nounperishable, adjectivepetit four, nounpiccalilli, nounpicnic, nounpicnic, verbpie, nounpilaff, nounpilau, nounpimento, nounpinto bean, nounpit, nounpizza parlor, nounpizzeria, nounplain chocolate, nounplain flour, nounploughman's lunch, nounpoor boy, nounpork, nounpork pie, nounpork rinds, nounporridge, nounporterhouse steak, nounportion, nounpostprandial, adjectivepotato, nounpotato crisp, nounpotted, adjectivepoultry, nounpraline, nounprawn, nounprepacked, adjectivepreservative, nounpreserve, verbpreserve, nounpretzel, nounprovision, verbprune, nounpuff pastry, nounpumpernickel, nounpumpkin, nounpuree, verbquince, nounQuorn, nounrabbit, nounrancid, adjectiverare, adjectiveravenous, adjectiveraw, adjectivered meat, nounreheat, verbrennet, nounrepast, nounreplete, adjectiverestaurant, nounrestaurant car, nounrestaurateur, nounrib, nounrice, nounrigatoni, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveroadhouse, nounrock, nounroe, nounroll, nounroot vegetable, nounrose hip, nounrusk, nounrutabaga, nounsaccharin, nounsalad cream, nounsalad dressing, nounsalami, nounsalmon, nounsalsa, nounsalt, verbsalt, adjectivesalty, adjectivesandwich, nounsardine, nounsassafras, nounsatisfying, adjectivesatsuma, nounsauerkraut, nounsausage, nounscallion, nounscampi, nounscone, nounscoop, nounScotch broth, nounscratchings, nounseafood, nounseasoned, adjectiveseed, verbsemolina, nounservery, nounservice charge, nounserving, nounset, adjectiveshallot, nounshellfish, nounsherbet, nounshish kebab, nounshortbread, nounshortcake, nounshortcrust pastry, nounshoulder, nounshrimp cocktail, nounside order, nounsillabub, nounsimnel cake, nounsingle cream, nounsirloin, nounsitting, nounskimmed milk, nounskin, nounskin, verbslaw, nounslice, nounsliced bread, nounsloe, nounsloppy joe, nounsmorgasbord, nounsnack bar, nounsnow pea, nounsoda fountain, nounsodium chloride, nounsoft fruit, nounsorghum, nounsoul food, nounsour, adjectivesour, verbsourdough, nounsoya, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounsponge, nounsponge cake, nounsponge pudding, nounspoon, verbspoonful, nounspotted dick, nounspread, nounspring onion, nounspring roll, nounsprout, nounspud, nounsquash, nounsquid, nounstaple, nounstarfruit, nounstarter, nounsteak, nounsteakhouse, nounsteak tartare, nounstew, nounstick, nounStilton, nounstir-fry, verbstodge, nounstone-ground, adjectivestrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstringy, adjectivestrudel, nounsub, nounsucrose, nounsuet, nounsugar, nounsugar, verbsugar-coated, adjectivesugar cube, nounsugar lump, nounsugary, adjectivesultana, nounsun-dried, adjectivesup, verbsupper, nounsustenance, nounswallow, verbswallow, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweetened condensed milk, nounsweetener, nounsweetmeat, nounsweet pepper, nounsweet potato, nounsyrup, nounsyrupy, adjectivetable d'hôte, nountaco, nountaffy, nountainted, adjectivetakeaway, nountakeout, nountangerine, nountapas, nountapioca, nountaramasalata, nountariff, nountart, nountartare sauce, nountaste, verbtasteless, adjectivetaster, nountasting, nountater, nountattie, nounT-bone steak, nountea, nounteacake, nountender, adjectivetin, nountinned, adjectivetitbit, nountoffee apple, nountofu, nountomato, nountongue, nountop, nountopping, nountop round, nountopside, nountop table, nountortilla, nountough, adjectivetransport cafe, nountreacle, nountrifle, nountripe, nountrotter, nountruck stop, nountruffle, nountub, nountuna, nounturkey, nounTurkish delight, nounturnip, nounturnover, nountutti frutti, nounTV dinner, nounTVP, noununadulterated, adjectiveunleavened, adjectiveunpalatable, adjectivevacuum-packed, adjectivevanilla, nounveal, nounvegan, nounvegetable, nounvegetarian, nounvegetarianism, nounveggie, nounvenison, nounvictual, verbvictuals, nounvoracious, adjectivevoucher, nounwaiter, nounwaitress, nounwalnut, noun-ware, suffixwarmed-over, adjectivewedge, nounwell, nounwell-done, adjectivewell-fed, adjectivewet fish, nounwheat, nounwhite, nounwhite flour, nounwhite pepper, nounwhite sauce, nounwholefood, nounwholemeal, adjectivewhole wheat, adjectivewiener, nounwild rice, nounwishbone, nounwrap, nounyeast extract, nounyoghurt, nounyogurt, nounyolk, nounyule log, nounyummy, adjectivezucchini, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES That’s another fine mess (=bad situation) he’s got himself into. an unholy messCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
That’s another fine mess (=bad situation) he’s got himself into. an unholy mess· His food came - they don't mess about here and he reached for the salt.· I do not know what the people back in Rushcliffe think about him when he messes about in this way.· Rains like these were an opportunity for a good wash, no doubt, and a bit of messing about.· They really don't mess about.· I thought fourteen days was a ridiculous sentence just for messing about.· That's where you get your power from for messing about with horses, just keeping your eyes on that particular bone.· Don't mess about with fireworks and always let an adult light them if you're going for a small family display.· He didn't trust Lee not to mess about with it.
· It is a small area and most of the teenagers there mess around together.· Was it a good idea to launch our kids' lives as scientists simply by letting them mess around?· Now he is messing around with education, and look at the mess that that will be in.· Everyone smokes and drinks and messes around.· There we were, messing around with his things, and all the time he was dead as a doornail in Paris.· Above all, why were these chaps messing around with helium-filled contraptions, in an age of routine rocketry?· We knew they had to go so we messed around with it.· Now, I must make this quite clear to you, you can't actually mess around with time.
· Kris Johnson, having worked hard since messing up, returns from the reported drug suspension in a couple of weeks.· Usually, the only time offensive linemen get noticed is when they mess up.· Hick messed up an attempted pull against Waqar.· The guy on the right side lost the better part of his face and was all messed up.· Freda, the newly-wed, was pregnant, and this was messing up all our duty rosters.· They were piggy-eyed and their hair was messed up, the women looking worse than the men, puffy and tired-looking.· The other isotopes mess up the workings of the nuclear reaction.· Unnerving because if you mess up, you could overpay or face an audit.
VERB· When legering from a punt you don't want to be messing about with indicators that require two hands to set.· In the majority of cases, the user will not want to mess about converting data from one format to another.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► mess somebody around► mess something ↔ up► mess something ↔ up► mess somebody ↔ up► mess somebody ↔ up
1[transitive] to make something look untidy or dirty: - Anyway, Steffi has beaten Seles twice this year, very comfortably indeed - no messing.
- The first failed ... but there was no messing with his second.
He scratched his head and messed his hair even more.2[intransitive, transitive] British English if an animal or person messes something, they use the wrong place as a toilet: He was so drunk that he messed the bed.3no messing spoken informal used to say that something was done very easily: Williams won very comfortably, no messing.4[intransitive] to have meals in a room where members of the army, navy etc eat togethermess around (also mess about British English) phrasal verb informal1to spend time lazily, doing things slowly and in a way that is not planned: He spent his vacation messing around on the farm.2to behave in a silly way when you should be paying attention or doing something sensible SYN fool around: Stop messing around and get ready for school.3 mess somebody around to cause a lot of problems for someone, especially by changing your mind often and not being completely honest: Don’t mess me around – I want the money you promised me.mess around with somebody/something (also mess about with somebody/something British English) phrasal verb informal1to have a sexual relationship with someone that you should not have a sexual relationship with: She’d been messing around with another man.2to spend time playing with something, repairing it etc: Dave likes messing around with old cars.3to use something and make annoying changes to it: Who’s been messing around with my camera?mess up phrasal verb informal1mess something ↔ up to spoil or ruin something, especially something important or something that has been carefully planned: It took me ages to get this right – I don’t want some idiot to mess it up. She felt she’d messed up her whole life.2mess something ↔ up to make something dirty or untidy: Who messed up the kitchen?3to make a mistake and do something badly: I think I messed up on the last question.mess something ↔ up It doesn’t matter if you mess it up, you can always try again.4mess somebody ↔ up to make someone have emotional or mental problems: I messed up my kids.5mess somebody ↔ up American English informal to hurt someone especially by hitting themmess with somebody/something phrasal verb informal1to get involved with someone or something that may cause problems or be dangerous: Don’t mess with drugs.2to deceive someone or cause trouble for them: You mess with me, and I’ll rip your head off.3to try changing something, especially in a way that damages or spoils it