stuff up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To ruin or harm.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Don't drink tonight, because it'll stuff you up before your business trip.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To make a big mistake.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To cause (the nasal passages) to be blocked.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “stuff up” mean?

To ruin or harm.

Is “stuff up” formal or informal?

stuff up is generally slang.