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hugger-mugger

hugger-mugger

9.9
Being confused and disorganized
  • adjective
  • /ˈhʌɡərˌmʌɡər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : caótico
  • She tried to organize the hugger-mugger papers on her desk.

Examples

  • She was frustrated by the hugger-mugger arrangement of old books on the shelf.

  • The children's toys were left in a hugger-mugger heap all over the living room.

  • After the storm, the backyard was left in hugger-mugger confusion.

  • The attic was full of hugger-mugger boxes and forgotten keepsakes.

  • The room was in a complete state of hugger-mugger after the party.

  • After the sudden move, the garage became a hugger-mugger of boxes and furniture.

  • He tried to find his notes in the hugger-mugger of papers scattered on the floor.

Synonyms

chaotic
vshugger-mugger
116 4.7

Not organized and full of confusion

is a more informal idiomatic way to name that same disorder
unruly
vshugger-mugger
41 4.3

Difficult to control and messy or noisy

is the idiomatic, more playful way to describe that lack of control
confused
vshugger-mugger
18 1.0

Messy and not in order, with things mixed up

is an informal, often playful way to refer to that lack of order
in a mess
vshugger-mugger
9 1.6

Something that is untidy and not in order

is a livelier, idiomatic expression for that untidy situation
turvy
vshugger-mugger
  • Archaic
9 9.9

Messy and not organized

is the more idiomatic and colorful term for that confusion
disordered
vshugger-mugger
7 4.5

Not arranged in a clear or tidy way

is the informal expression used to capture that lack of order
disorderly
vshugger-mugger
4 4.5

A place or thing that is untidy and not in order

is a more colloquial, idiomatic way to describe that messiness
chaotically
vshugger-mugger
1 5.6

In a wild, disordered way

is the idiomatic, often playful way to express that disorder
topsy-turvy
vshugger-mugger
  • Informal
1 7.5

Mixed up and in a messy, confused state

is the idiomatic, informal label for that same upside down state
helter-skelter
vshugger-mugger
1 7.3

In a confused, messy way with no order

is a more playful phrase used for that hurried confusion
shambolic
vshugger-mugger
  • UK
1 8.7

Very badly organized and causing confusion

is the informal, idiomatic label for that same poor organization
confusedly
vshugger-mugger
1 4.0

In a way that shows you are not sure or do not understand

is the colloquial phrase used to describe that unclear conduct
higgledy-piggledy
vshugger-mugger
  • Informal
1 9.9

In a messy, mixed-up way with things in no order

is the more colloquial and punchy form for that disorderly state
shambolically
vshugger-mugger
  • UK
8.4

In a messy, disorganized way

is the informal phrase used to describe that disordered action
jumbled
vshugger-mugger
3.8

Mixed together in a confused and untidy way

is a livelier, more idiomatic way to describe that mixing
higgledy
vshugger-mugger
  • Informal
9.9

In a messy, untidy way

is a shorter, more playful way to name that messy manner
in a skelter
vshugger-mugger
  • UK
9.9

In a confused, hurried way with no order

is the idiomatic way to describe that hurried, confused action
all sixes and nines
vshugger-mugger
  • Informal
9.9

In a confused and disorganized state

is a similar informal phrase but more playful or old fashioned
chao ta
vshugger-mugger
  • Philippine
9.9

Very messy and not organized

is a comparable informal term often used in casual speech
mad woman's custard
vshugger-mugger
  • Archaic
9.9

A very messy, confused mix of things in one place

is a standard informal expression for the same chaotic mess

Antonyms

55 2.4

Arranged in a tidy, organized way

35 4.1

Doing things carefully and in an organized way

19 2.0

Having things in order so they are easy to find

How Disorderly

chaotic
116 4.7
hugger-mugger
  • Archaic
9.9
disorganized
  • US
38 3.1
messy
233 1.0

Surface Forms

hugger-mugger positive

Etymology

A helpful way to remember hugger-mugger is to think of two short words that rhyme and sound tangled, like hugger + mugger; this gives a picture of a mixed-up mess. So the word as an adjective or adverb means 'chaotic' or done in a 'disorganized' way.