make a hash of

VERB

mishandle/mismanage

Synonyms

WEAK

abuse be incompetent be inefficient blow blunder botch bungle confound err flub foul up fumble goof goof up gum up harm make a mess of maladminister misapply misconduct misdirect misemploy misgovern mistreat misuse muff overlook pervert prostitute put foot in screw up shoot oneself in foot

Antonyms

WEAK

handle manage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gaps in data because of the government shutdown make a hash of the latest federal reports on inflation and economic growth.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

It could make a hash of setting interest rates.

From The Guardian • Nov. 10, 2015

Fraud — and the sudden shutdown of a debit and card — can make a hash of people’s financial lives.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2014

"You can name the twins Gustavo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto from La Plata, Argentina," adds Ricardo Sigot, neglecting to mention that we'd probably make a hash of pronouncing them.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2013

Let speculative blockheads brew metaphysical nectar, make a hash of axioms, problems, corollaries and demonstrations, and feed on ideas and fatten.

From Anna St. Ives by Holcroft, Thomas

make a hash of

Example Sentences

Related Words