- muddle
- 1
noun (countable usually singular)
1 a state of confusion or untidiness, that results in things being done wrong: There was a bit of a muddle over our reservations. | We had to get an accountant in to sort out the muddle.2 be in a muddlea) to be in an untidy and confused state: The papers were all in a muddle.b) to be confused because you have too much to do: I'm in such a muddle, I'd completely forgotten you were coming today.2 verb also muddle up (T) especially BrE1 to put something in the wrong order or mix something up: Someone's muddled up all the papers on my desk. | Your invoice got muddled up with Mr Clark's.2 get muddled (up) to get confused between one thing or person and another, and make a mistake: Sorry, I got a bit muddled up over the dates. | get sb/sth muddled (up): I'm not quite sure of their ages, I get them muddled up.— muddled adjective: muddled thinking — muddling adjective muddle along/on phrasal verb (I) BrE to continue doing something without having any clear plan: We just seem to muddle along but never make any real progress. muddle through phrasal verb (I) especially BrE to achieve something even though you do not have a clear plan or use the best methods or equipment: Jack got some difficult questions but he managed to muddle through.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.