muddle

Everyday

1. A muddle is an untidy mess, or a state of confusion: «My drawer is in a muddle». tree →
2. To muddle things means to mix them up or put them in the wrong order. tree →
3. To be muddled or get in a muddle means to feel confused or make mistakes because you cannot think clearly. tree →
4. (UK) To muddle through means to manage somehow, without a good plan. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it describes untidy rooms and mixed-up facts; in maths lessons pupils get «in a muddle» with steps. Phrases: «in a muddle», «muddle up», «muddle through», «get muddled».

Examples

• My socks are in a muddle. tree →
• I always muddle up «their» and «there». tree →
• Grandpa gets muddled when he's tired. tree →
• Don't muddle the numbers in your answer. tree →
• We had no map but muddled through. tree →
• The twins are easy to muddle. tree →
• The instructions were a total muddle. tree →
• Slow down so you don't get in a muddle with the sums. tree →

Note

Regular verb: muddled, muddling (drop the e). «Muddle» is softer and gentler than «mess». It is common in British English.