1
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
everything is riding on this project, so we can't afford to louse up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I loused up the wallpapering job in the bedroom—the seams show too much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of louse up
Which is to say that America’s most prominent vaccine skeptic could have the power to upend, derail, or otherwise louse up a cornerstone of public health.
—
Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Conversely, one of the easiest ways to louse up a team on draft day is to load up a team with players who aren’t going to produce at a level commensurate with when they were drafted.
—Gary Davenport, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Conversely, one of the easiest ways to louse up a team on draft day is to load up a team with players who aren’t going to produce at a level commensurate with when they were drafted.
—Gary Davenport, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for louse up
Verb
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Meanwhile, the only truly happy artist in Ira’s friend group — played to uproarious perfection by Stanley Tucci — isn’t even much of an artist at all but a shameless name-dropper who seems to stumble into constant success without even trying.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 May 2025
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Still, many times, most seasoned and skilled leaders stumble from time to time.—
Phil Portman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Foster Carling House While Remick may be fumbling his Hollywood comeback, his home is pure architectural triumph.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2025
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The player on the trophy is depicted fumbling the ball.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When Cody trips and falls in the grass, his friends band together to comfort him and get him a bandage for his boo-boo.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
9 May 2025
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The 100th episode is an all-out celebration, with giant poultry, trips to the afterlife and even a cameo by Mark Hamill.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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Those cops do more than blow whistles and bark signals.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Verb
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If the Sooners slip up, UCLA could be poised to pounce.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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This was the weekend when Aston Villa closed in on the Champions League places, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace shared as many red cards as goals, Arsenal slipped up again and Chelsea played out a drab 0-0 draw with Brentford.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As far as Luca knows, however, he’s somehow screwed up and killed his informant.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
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So someone — either the hotel or Hotels.com — really screwed up here.—
Christopher Elliot,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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But Paige has been there, injuries fouling up her career, too.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
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This brings back the Bilas comment from long ago on fouling up two.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Louse up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louse%20up. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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