balls-up

Balls in this sense refers to testicles. See also the verb, to balls up and go balls up.

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balls-up (plural balls-ups)

1. (slang, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, vulgar) Something which becomes muddled or botched in some way.

   Synonyms: ballup, cock-up, mess-up

   I was making a cake but when I added too much sugar, it became the balls-up of my cooking career.

• ball-ups