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# made a mess

phrase (verb phrase: make a mess, made a mess)

«made a mess» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, everyday) of a pet or small child: wet or soiled the floor; did their toilet business indoors.
2. (literal) made something dirty or untidy.
3. did something badly («made a mess of the test»).

### In the lessons

Used to talk about pets' or toddlers' accidents politely. Very common everyday phrase. Register: everyday; all regions.

### Examples

- The puppy made a mess on the kitchen floor.
- Chat: dog made a mess on the rug again
- The kids made a mess with the paint.
- I made a mess of my maths test.
- Who made a mess in the bathroom?
- The baby made a mess in his nappy.

### Note

Context decides: with pets, it's toilet; with paint, it's untidy; «of something» means failure. Plain words: peed or pooed indoors.