to mess up
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to mess up
Colloquial for making a serious mistake or doing something completely wrong and badly.
Ich habe die Prüfung total verbockt, weil ich die wichtigste Frage vergessen habe.
I totally messed up the exam because I forgot the most important question.
The verb 'verbocken' (to mess up) is inseparable. The prefix 'ver-' stays firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and often indicates that something is done incorrectly.
Er hat die Chance auf den neuen Job komplett verbockt.
He completely messed up his chance at the new job.
'Verbocken' (to mess up) is almost always used with an accusative object. So you always 'mess up' 'something'.
Ich hoffe, ich verbocke das Vorstellungsgespräch nicht.
I hope I don't mess up the job interview.
This word clearly belongs to colloquial language. In formal or written contexts, such as an official report, you would avoid it.
Mist, ich habe es total verbockt!
Damn, I totally messed it up!
'Verbocken' (to mess up) is often used in relation to specific situations or tasks, such as 'eine Prüfung verbocken' (to mess up an exam), 'ein Projekt verbocken' (to mess up a project), or 'eine Präsentation verbocken' (to mess up a presentation).
Er hat seine Präsentation verbockt, weil die Technik nicht funktionierte.
He messed up his presentation because the technology wasn't working.
to screw up
Verkacken and verbocken both mean that someone makes a mess of something through a serious personal mistake. Verkacken sounds considerably more vulgar. Verbocken is also colloquial and can emphasize the person's own responsibility for the mistake without sounding as vulgar.
Ich muss zugeben, dass ich die wichtige Präsentation selbst verbockt habe.
I have to admit that I messed up the important presentation myself.
Scheiße, ich habe die wichtige Präsentation völlig verkackt!
Shit, I completely screwed up the important presentation!
