What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bollix
Example
He managed to bollix up the presentation by forgetting his notes. [bollix: verb]
Example
The project was in a complete bollix, with files misplaced and deadlines missed. [bollix: noun]
muddle
Example
I muddled my words during the interview and ended up confusing the interviewer. [muddle: verb]
Example
The instructions were a muddle, making it difficult to understand what needed to be done. [muddle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Muddle is more commonly used than bollix in everyday language, especially in British English. Muddle is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while bollix is less common and has a stronger connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bollix and muddle?
While muddle is generally considered more formal, bollix is more informal and can be seen as slightly vulgar due to its origin.
