make a mess of
idiom
: to ruin (something) or to make many mistakes in doing (something)
The scandal made a mess of his political career.
The weather made a mess of our plans.
He made a mess of his speech.
Examples of make a mess of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the calamitous effort should tell the prosecution and the defense how not to shape their arguments for the court, even as public opinion charges ahead to make a mess of its own.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025
Precipitation and freezing temperatures tonight will make a mess of the roads on Saturday morning.
—Aila Slisco, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Copa Corner: Mexico make a mess of draw Of the three hosts for the 2026 World Cup, only Canada are through to the knockout stages.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 1 July 2024
Why Keep Cats Out of Gardens? Stray cats may make a mess of vegetable and herb beds by mistaking empty soil for a litterbox.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
While moles typically make a mess of lawns, voles can be destructive throughout your garden.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2024
But that’s no guarantee that climate change won’t make a mess of operations in those territories as well: The Pacific Northwest has in recent years been wilting under extraordinary heat waves, with temperatures climbing above 110 degrees Fahrenheit for days at a time.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
Porter sets himself the challenge of rendering the least palatable of these children sympathetic: the kind of boy who has a lot going for him, a lot of privilege, and can’t seem to do anything but make a mess of it.
—Rachel Connolly, The New Republic, 17 July 2023
Other than soldiers, the bunker is inhabited by a menagerie of animals who have also sought safety from the bombs — several small dogs and a black goat that likes to make a mess of the kitchen area.
—New York Times, 11 May 2022
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Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025
Precipitation and freezing temperatures tonight will make a mess of the roads on Saturday morning.
—Aila Slisco, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Copa Corner: Mexico make a mess of draw Of the three hosts for the 2026 World Cup, only Canada are through to the knockout stages.
—Phil Hay, The Athletic, 1 July 2024
Why Keep Cats Out of Gardens? Stray cats may make a mess of vegetable and herb beds by mistaking empty soil for a litterbox.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
While moles typically make a mess of lawns, voles can be destructive throughout your garden.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2024
But that’s no guarantee that climate change won’t make a mess of operations in those territories as well: The Pacific Northwest has in recent years been wilting under extraordinary heat waves, with temperatures climbing above 110 degrees Fahrenheit for days at a time.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
Porter sets himself the challenge of rendering the least palatable of these children sympathetic: the kind of boy who has a lot going for him, a lot of privilege, and can’t seem to do anything but make a mess of it.
—Rachel Connolly, The New Republic, 17 July 2023
Other than soldiers, the bunker is inhabited by a menagerie of animals who have also sought safety from the bombs — several small dogs and a black goat that likes to make a mess of the kitchen area.
—New York Times, 11 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Make a mess of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20mess%20of. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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