What does “cock-up” mean?
The slang phrase "cock-up" means "a big mistake" or "something done badly." When someone refers to a "cock-up", they are highlighting a significant error or failure in a certain situation. It can be used to describe anything from a personal blunder to a professional mishap.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
That was a massive cock-up. The project is a complete disaster.
Example
I made a cock-up on the presentation. It was embarrassing.
Example
The chef made a cock-up with the order. The food was all wrong.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Describing a major mistake or failure
The team made a cock-up in their presentation. They forgot to include important information.
The government's handling of the crisis was a complete cock-up. They made numerous errors.
- 2Referring to a specific instance of a mistake or blunder
I made a cock-up on the report. I accidentally deleted all the data.
The company's decision to launch the product without proper testing was a huge cock-up.
- 3Highlighting incompetence or poor performance
The contractor's work was a total cock-up. They did a terrible job.
The manager's lack of planning resulted in a major cock-up.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "cock-up" originated in British English and is commonly used in the United Kingdom. It is believed to have originated from the term 'cock' meaning 'to spoil or ruin'.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The phrase "cock-up" is typically used within a sentence to describe a mistake or failure. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "cock-up" can be considered offensive. It is a slang term used to describe a big mistake or something done badly.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "cock-up" is primarily used in British English and is more commonly understood by people in the United Kingdom. It is less familiar to audiences outside of the UK.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "cock-up" is specific to British English and is commonly used in the United Kingdom. It may not be widely recognized or used in other English-speaking regions.
