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
Two education budget curveballs could make a mess of public school budgets this year.
—
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Leaf miners can make a mess of lemon trees but these simple strategies will limit the damage and keep these pests away.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
Expired Milk Powdery mildew can make a mess of garden plants, like peonies, mint, bee balm, and squash.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
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
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Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Leaf miners can make a mess of lemon trees but these simple strategies will limit the damage and keep these pests away.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025
Expired Milk Powdery mildew can make a mess of garden plants, like peonies, mint, bee balm, and squash.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Make a mess of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20mess%20of. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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