Meaning & Definition of word "Botch"

Botch

/bɒtʃ/

noun:

  • 1. a clumsy or poorly done piece of work.
    • Example: The report was such a botch that it had to be rewritten entirely.
  • 2. a blunder or mistake, especially resulting from carelessness.
    • Example: His botch on the presentation cost him the promotion.

verb:

  • 1. to carry out a task clumsily or incompetently.
    • Example: The contractor botched the renovations, leaving the house in worse condition than before.
  • 2. to make a mess of; to spoil something.
    • Example: He really botched the cake by forgetting to add sugar.
  • 3. to patch or repair something in a makeshift or ineffective manner.
    • Example: They botched the plumbing repairs, causing more leaks than they fixed.

Etymology

Middle English 'bocchen', from the Old English 'bocca', meaning 'to bring forth.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

botch a job:

to do work poorly or ineptly

botch something up:

to ruin or spoil something

it’s a botch:

a situation that is poorly executed or made a mess of

Related Words

bungle:

to carry out a task clumsily and awkwardly

fumble:

to handle something clumsily

mess:

a situation that is dirty or not neat

Slang Meanings of botch

Meaning: to mess things up drastically

Example Sentence: He really botched that; it was a total disaster.

Meaning: to fail at something in a spectacular way

Example Sentence: She totally botched the presentation.