Botching: meaning, definitions and examples

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botching

 

[ ˈbɒtʃɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

work, task

Botching refers to the act of carrying out a task poorly or in a clumsy manner, often resulting in an unsuccessful or subpar outcome. This term is commonly used in contexts where someone has failed to execute a job properly due to inexperience or negligence. It can apply to various scenarios, such as construction work, artistic endeavors, or even relationships where attempts to fix issues lead to further complications. The term suggests not only incompetence but also a certain level of carelessness that exacerbates the situation.

Synonyms

bungle, fail, mess up

Examples of usage

  • He botched the plumbing job, causing a leak.
  • The artist accidentally botched the painting during the final touches.
  • She botched her speech due to nerves and lack of preparation.

Translations

Translations of the word "botching" in other languages:

🇵🇹 falhar

🇮🇳 बिगाड़ना

🇩🇪 verpfuschen

🇮🇩 merusak

🇺🇦 зривати

🇵🇱 zepsuć

🇯🇵 台無しにする

🇫🇷 rater

🇪🇸 estropear

🇹🇷 berbat etmek

🇰🇷 망치다

🇸🇦 يفشل

🇨🇿 zkazit

🇸🇰 pokaziť

🇨🇳 搞砸

🇸🇮 pokvariti

🇮🇸 klúðra

🇰🇿 бұзу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 pozmaq

🇲🇽 estropear

Etymology

The word 'botch' originated in the late 14th century from the Middle English 'bocchen', which means to make a mess or to patch. It likely has connections to the Old French 'boccher', meaning to mend or patch up. Over time, it evolved in usage towards implying incompetence or failure in execution rather than merely the act of fixing something. By the 19th century, the term 'botch' was commonly used in English-speaking countries, often associated with clumsy repairs or inadequate work, and the gerund form 'botching' became prevalent as a way to describe ongoing actions that are done poorly. This evolution of meaning highlights how the term captures not just a moment of failure but ongoing incompetence in specific tasks.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,388, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.