goofup

Goofup (also goof-up or goof-up) is an informal term used in English to denote a mistake, blunder, or error typically caused by carelessness, incompetence, or miscommunication. It can refer to a single misstep or to a situation characterized by multiple errors. The word is common in everyday speech and informal writing, though it is usually avoided in formal contexts.

Etymology and form: The noun goofup derives from goof, meaning a foolish or clumsy person, combined with up to indicate a resulting consequence. It is commonly spelled with a hyphen as goof-up, but variants such as goofup are also found. The related verb phrase is to goof up, meaning to cause a mistake or botch something.

Usage: Goofup is versatile and can describe mishaps in various domains, including the workplace, sports, or plans. Examples include goofing up a presentation, goofing up a budget, or a goof-up in scheduling. While typically informal and non-derogatory, the term can carry a light to moderately critical tone depending on context. In contrast, more formal alternatives include mistake, error, or blunder, and stronger informal options include screw-up or cock-up in regional usage.

Related terms: Goof primarily refers to a person who is perceived as careless or foolish, whereas goof-up emphasizes the resulting error. Other related informal terms for mistakes include blunder, slip, error, and miscue.

See also: Blunder; Error; Screw-up; Cock-up.