mix-up

noun

a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another

-

he changed his name in order to avoid confusion with the notorious outlaw

• Syn: ↑confusion

• Derivationally related forms: ↑confuse (for: ↑confusion)

• Hypernyms: ↑mistake, ↑error, ↑fault

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\\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun (-s)

Etymology: mix up

1. : a state or instance of confusion

further the mix-up in terminology we have been attempting to correct — Thomas Munro

sent to the wrong base through a mix-up in orders

2. : mixture

such a general mix-up that our most distinctive … endowments disappear — Norman Goodall

the man is a mix-up of cheerful schoolboy and devout elder — Paul Holt

3. : melee

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/miks"up'/, n.

1. a confused state of things; muddle; tangle.

2. a fight.

[1835-45; n. use of v. phrase mix up]

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mixˈ-up noun

1. Confusion

2. A confused jumble

mix zone noun

1. An area where two bodies, substances, etc are brought together

2. An area where reporters may interview athletes immediately after a sporting event.

• • •

Main Entry: ↑mix

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mix-up UK US noun [countable] [singular mix-up plural mix-ups] informal

a mistake or problem that happens because someone is confused about details

There was a mix-up and they lost my order.

Thesaurus: mistakes_synonym general problems and difficulties_synonym

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mix-up «MIHKS _UHP», noun.

1. confusion; mess; muddle.

2. Informal. a confused fight: »

The son took no part in the mix-up.

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(also mixup) n. informal a confusion of one thing with another, or a misunderstanding or mistake that results in confusion

there's been a mix-up over the tickets

■ a combination of different things, esp. one whose effect is inharmonious

a ghastly mix-up of furniture styles

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/ˈmıksˌʌp/ noun, pl -ups [count]

: a mistake caused by confusion about something

Because of a mix-up [=mistake, error] at the hotel, we were overcharged for our stay.

The mix-ups nearly cost him his job.

I thought you were someone else. Sorry for the mix-up. [=misunderstanding, confusion]

— see also mix up at ↑mix, 1

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ˈmix-up [mix-up mix-ups] noun (informal)

a situation that is full of confusion, especially because sb has made a mistake

Syn: ↑muddle

•

There has been a mix-up over the dates.

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mix-up

see mix n.² c.