Mess up
Mess up verb - To make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way.
Screw
Screw verb - To twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- He uses this not to screw up the world history, but instead to mess up Dib's life out of petty revenge.
Source: Disability Superpower - When you mess up, mess up big, be funny if you can, be nice to your costars when they screw up (although snarking at them is all good if you can snark well), and above all, laugh at yourself.
Source: Just For Fun / Actor Tips -
However, their boss is not understanding when they mess up, and they are often called out on their screw-ups, even if they are but relatively minor mistakes.
Source: Series / Monday Mornings
Cite this Source
Screw and Mess up. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/mess_up/screw
Mess up & Screw. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/mess_up/screw>.
Screw or Mess up. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/mess_up/screw.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "mess up" and "screw" have occurred on timeline