FOUL-UP

{n.} (stress on "foul") 1. {informal} A confused situation; confusion; mistake. * /The luncheon was handled with only one or two foul-ups./ 2. {informal} A breakdown. * /There was a foul-up in his car's steering mechanism./ 3. {slang} A person who fouls up or mixes things. * /He had gotten a reputation as a foul-up./