mix-up
mix-up — noun
1. an error in names, facts, or plans that leaves people unsure what is correct.
an error in names, facts, or plans that leaves people unsure what is correct.
A mix-up at the airport sent our bags to Osaka instead of Taipei.
mix-up at [place] causing the wrong result
There was a mix-up over the meeting time, so half the team came late.
pattern: 'a mix-up over [detail]'
One name mix-up on the guest list left Nadia without a seat.
The pharmacy found the prescription mix-up before the customer took the wrong pills.
- confusion
broader; can describe the state as well as the mistake
- error
more general and less focused on crossed details
- misunderstanding
often about communication between people
文法句型
a mix-up over [detail]
a mix-up between [people/things]
用法筆記
Often used for practical mistakes involving names, tickets, orders, or paperwork. It suggests that details got crossed and people then acted on the wrong information.
常見錯誤
mix-up — phrasal verb
- mix-upbase form
- mix-ups3rd person singular
- mix-upping-ing form
- mix-uppedpast simple
1. to leave several things in the wrong order or in the wrong places, usually by ac
to leave several things in the wrong order or in the wrong places, usually by accident.
Caleb mixed up the exam papers and gave our class the wrong set.
transitive pattern: mix up [things]
Please do not mix up the clean towels with the wet ones.
During the move, two boxes got mixed up and went to different floors.
The printer mixed up the page order when Hao rushed the final job.
- sort
to put items back into the right order
文法句型
mix up [things]
[things] get mixed up
用法筆記
Object is usually a set of similar things such as papers, dates, boxes, or clothes. It often appears in passive forms like 'got mixed up' when the speaker focuses on the confusion rather than the person who caused it.
2. to wrongly take one person or thing for another.
to wrongly take one person or thing for another.
Beatriz mixed up my sister with her math teacher at the school gate.
pattern: mix up A with B
In the dim light, the driver mixed up our house with the one next door.
Ava often mixes up the twins because they dress alike for work.
The reporter mixed up Seoul and Busan in the first version of the story.
- confuse
broader and less tied to the 'with' pattern
- mistake
often appears in the form 'mistake A for B'
- misidentify
more formal; common in reports or technical settings
- recognize
to identify someone or something correctly
文法句型
mix up [A] with [B]
用法筆記
Usually appears in the pattern 'mix A up with B'. Distinguish from verb sense 1: this phrasal-verb sense focuses on taking one person or thing for another, not simply confusing two similar items in your mind.
常見錯誤
mix-up — verb
- mix-uppresent simple I / you / we / they
- mix-ups3rd person singular
- mix-upping-ing form
- mix-uppedpast simple
1. to confuse two people, things, or facts because they seem similar.
to confuse two people, things, or facts because they seem similar.
Ilan mixed up the salt and sugar while making breakfast for his children.
mix up A and B with similar everyday items
The new nurse mixed up one patient's chart with another file.
Nia mixed up the two train lines and got off in the wrong town.
Christopher mixed up the cousins and called the younger one by the wrong name.
- separate
to keep two similar things distinct in your mind
文法句型
mix up [two things]
mix up [A] and [B]
用法筆記
Common with items that are alike in look, sound, or function, such as ingredients, names, lines, or files. Distinguish from phrasal verb sense 2 when the point is direct mistaken identity.
2. to put an item where a different one should go, often because the two seem simil
to put an item where a different one should go, often because the two seem similar.
Yara mixed up the medicine bottles and shelved them under the wrong label.
misplacement inside a labeled system
Someone mixed up my lunch order with the table beside ours.
The clerk mixed up the keys and handed Imran the spare set.
At home, we mixed up the clean forks with the camping tools.
文法句型
mix up [item] with [other item]
mix up [item] and [item]
用法筆記
Object is usually a physical item that belongs in a system, such as keys, bottles, files, or orders. The mistake is about placement or assignment rather than simply forgetting where something is.
常見錯誤
3. to pull someone into harmful company or bad behaviour.
to pull someone into harmful company or bad behaviour.
Older boys mixed up the youngest brother with a gang that stole motorbikes.
mix up someone with a bad crowd
Farid's uncle feared that the online group would mix him up in gambling.
The bar owner mixed several teenagers up with local criminals near the port.
After school, Luca was mixed up in street racing by two older neighbours.
- corrupt
stronger; suggests moral damage
- lead astray
more formal and moral in tone
- involve
broader; not always negative without context
- protect
to keep someone away from harmful influence
文法句型
mix up [someone] with [bad people]
mix up [someone] in [crime/activity]
用法筆記
Usually takes a person object and often appears with 'with' or 'in' to name the bad crowd or activity. Common in warnings about crime, drugs, or other risky behaviour.