What does the phrasal verb “muddle up” mean?

What are the definitions of “muddle up”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Take things that are ordered or sequenced and mess them up.

  My cleaner MUDDLED UP my books and I can't find anything.

• 2. Mistake a person or thing for someone or something else because they look similar.

  I MUDDLE her and her sister UP.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “muddle up”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb muddle up is to mix things in a disorganized way, causing confusion or disorder. For example, it can mean mixing up papers, messing up the order of items, or confusing two similar-looking people.

What are the different verb forms of “muddle up”?

Root Verb	muddle up
Third Person Singular Present	muddles up
Present Participle	muddling up
Simple Past	muddled up
Past Participle	muddled up

Example

Please don't muddle up the papers on my desk.

Example

He always muddles up the files in the cabinet.

Example

She is muddling up the cards while playing the game.

Example

Yesterday, they muddled up the ingredients for the recipe.

Example

The clothes were muddled up in the suitcase.

What kind of phrasal verb is “muddle up”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“muddle up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

She muddled up the documents on the table.

Example

He muddled the cards up before dealing them.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“muddle up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

She muddled up the documents on the table.

Example

He muddled the cards up before dealing them.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “muddle up”?

Muddle through

To manage or cope with a difficult situation, often without a clear plan or direction.

Example

We didn't know the language, but we muddled through our trip to the foreign country.

Muddle along

To continue doing something without a clear plan or direction, often with limited success.

Example

The company has been muddling along for years without making any significant progress.

Good things to know

Does “muddle up” have an informal or formal tone?

Muddle up is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. In more formal settings, you might use synonyms like 'confuse' or 'disorder' instead.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “muddle up”?

Synonyms

• confuse
• disorder
• jumble
• scramble
• disarrange
• mix up
• mess up

Antonyms

• organize
• arrange
• sort
• order
• straighten
• systematize
• tidy up