topsy-turvy
9
7.5
- adjective
- /ˈtɑpsiˈtɜrvi/
- Informal
- The kids made a mess in the living room, leaving it topsy-turvy with toys and cushions all over the floor.
- topsy-turvy world
- turned topsy-turvy
- gone topsy-turvy
Examples
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After the storm, the entire room was left topsy-turvy with furniture scattered everywhere.
-
This administration has certainly turned this country topsy-turvy.
Blog text (3) -
This whole territory's gone topsy-turvy.
-
The traditional year-end advice from tax experts has turned topsy-turvy.
Blog text (32) -
Everything is so Topsy-turvy.
-
Mem's Diary: After months and months aboard the topsy-turvy Mayflower, I long
Fiction book (1999) -
So this is a kind of a topsy turvy world, the social world which bespeaks of of erosion and of crumbling of this social order.
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With all the changes in leadership, the organization felt topsy-turvy and confused about its future.
Synonyms
307
4.8
In a confused, disorganized way with things or thoughts scattered
37
1.0
Messy and not in order, with things mixed up
26
4.9
Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree
18
3.8
Mixed together in a confused and untidy way
18
5.4
Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand
9
9.9
Messy and not organized
4
7.3
In a confused, messy way with no order
1
4.5
A place or thing that is untidy and not in order
1
9.9
In a messy, mixed-up way with things in no order
1
9.9
Being confused and disorganized
1
9.9
In a confused, hurried way with no order
People or places in confusion and disorder after a big change
A state of confusion where things are mixed up and messy
In a confused and disorganized state
How Disorderly
Surface Forms
Etymology
Topsy-turvy began as a playful pair of simple words imagining top and turn, so it gives a strong picture of things turned 'upside down'. That's why when something is topsy-turvy, it is in disorder or confusion.