bungle
bungle
Transitive VerbIntransitive VerbNoun
pl: bunglespast: bungledpp: bungleding: bungling
This term conveys a sense of clumsy incompetence, often implying that the failure was avoidable and caused by a lack of skill or care. It carries a more critical, slightly mocking tone than "mistake" or "error," suggesting a messy or haphazard execution of a plan.
When used as a noun, it describes the entire failed event rather than just a single slip-up. It is frequently paired with intensifiers like "complete" or "utter" to emphasize the scale of the dysfunction.
Meanings
Transitive Verbbungle
[~ something]
To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently, resulting in a failure or a mistake.
The inexperienced team managed to bungle the entire operation.
Phrasal Verbs
bungle up
to ruin or spoil something through clumsiness
He managed to bungle up the presentation by forgetting his notes.