Screw-up

A 'screw-up' is a colloquial term referring to an error, blunder, mistake, or mishap. It signifies a situation where something has gone wrong, often due to carelessness, incompetence, or poor judgment. This can range from minor inconveniences to significant failures with considerable consequences. The term implies a degree of fault or blame, suggesting that the undesired outcome could have been avoided with better execution or foresight. It's frequently used to describe both the act of making the mistake and the person who made it. The severity of a 'screw-up' is context-dependent and can range from a simple oversight to a major catastrophe. It usually results in some form of damage, loss, or setback, be it of time, resources, relationships, or reputation.

Screw-up meaning with examples

• The team was horrified when they realized the delivery driver had mixed up the addresses, leading to a major screw-up. The catering for the client's party had been delivered to the wrong building, a costly and embarrassing mistake that jeopardized their contract and reputation. The team was reprimanded heavily by their management.
• During the final exam, I got my formulas mixed up, resulting in a major screw-up. The error meant that I was not able to complete enough of the exam, and the resulting drop in my grade could affect my college admission. I regretted not studying harder and making a conscious effort to commit to memory those equations.
• The chef's screw-up in the kitchen led to several unhappy customers. After his mistake, several of them asked for a discount. He had forgotten to season the dishes, and several customers voiced their disappointment. The incident damaged his reputation and forced the restaurant to offer complimentary meals to several other customers.
• Her impulsive decision proved to be a complete screw-up, jeopardizing the entire project. The CEO was unhappy when the deadline for the presentation was missed. She should have consulted her team before implementing her plan. Her misjudgment ended up causing significant delays and loss of revenue for the company.
• The actor's on-stage screw-up during the play's opening night, when he forgot his lines, caused nervous laughter amongst the audience. Fortunately, his co-stars quickly covered for him. The audience continued to enjoy the performance even though he had caused a brief disruption, which he resolved when he remembered the lines.