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topsy-turvy

topsy-turvy

1 7.5
Mixed up and in a messy, confused state
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɑpsiˈtɜrvi/
  • Informal
translation icon : desordenado
  • 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

  • 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.

  • With all the changes in leadership, the organization felt topsy-turvy and confused about its future.

Synonyms

all over the place
vstopsy-turvy
  • Informal
283 4.8

In a confused, disorganized way with things or thoughts scattered

applies to general disorder including upside down situations too
mixed-up
vstopsy-turvy
  • Informal
82 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

describes external disorder or upside down state, not just mental perplexity
confused
vstopsy-turvy
18 1.0

Messy and not in order, with things mixed up

focuses more on external disorder and upside down situations
turvy
vstopsy-turvy
  • Archaic
9 9.9

Messy and not organized

is the hyphenated two word form often used in speech rather than writing
muddled
vstopsy-turvy
7 5.4

Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand

is about physical or visual disorder rather than mainly mental confusion
disorderly
vstopsy-turvy
4 4.5

A place or thing that is untidy and not in order

adds the sense of being upset or turned upside down, not just messy
helter-skelter
vstopsy-turvy
1 7.3

In a confused, messy way with no order

describes disorder more generally without stressing haste or rush
higgledy-piggledy
vstopsy-turvy
  • Informal
1 9.9

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

covers disorder overall, not only untidy physical arrangement
hugger-mugger
vstopsy-turvy
  • Archaic
9.9

Being confused and disorganized

expresses the same idea but is more neutral about chaos level
in a skelter
vstopsy-turvy
  • UK
9.9

In a confused, hurried way with no order

refers to disorder or upside down state without panic or speed
up on its ear
vstopsy-turvy
  • Informal
9.8

People or places in confusion and disorder after a big change

means disorder or confusion without implying major upheaval
arsy varsy
vstopsy-turvy
  • Archaic
9.9

A state of confusion where things are mixed up and messy

is the neutral descriptive form used in standard contexts
all sixes and nines
vstopsy-turvy
  • Informal
9.9

In a confused and disorganized state

is the plain descriptive expression without the idiomatic flavour
jumbled
vstopsy-turvy
3.8

Mixed together in a confused and untidy way

is broader, covering both physical mess and general confusion

How Disorderly

chaotic
116 4.7
topsy-turvy
  • Informal
1 7.5
untidy
11 1.0
askew
13 6.0

Surface Forms

topsy-turvy positive

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.