[General] bitch/ bitch up

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

Excuse me for the word, but you have bitched the whole business.

bitch = spoil, harm, damage

Why did you have to bitch everything up by telling John about the arrangements I made for his leaving party?

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Hi, Vil,

This is not a meaning of the word bitch which I've come across before.

Rover

Rover_KE said:

Hi, Vil,

This is not a meaning of the word bitch which I've come across before.

Rover

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I've never heard it used like this either. Perhaps it's AmE?

emsr2d2 said:

I've never heard it used like this either. Perhaps it's AmE?

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Maybe, I have heard it a lot on US radios/tv shows.

It means 'to bungle' = do something wrong, in a careless or stupid way.

In this particular case, the prepopition 'up' is often used.

synonym with 'bitch up': f*ck up.

Don't f*ck this up, John!

I listen to the radio and watch (too much) TV in the US all the time, and I have NEVER heard this used.

I think you are confusing it with the word "botch" (a completely unrelated word).

If you botch something [up], you've ruined it.
You've made a total botch out of it.

As a verb, per Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online to foul up hopelessly —often used with up
As a noun, something that is botched : mess

Barb_D said:

I listen to the radio and watch (too much) TV in the US all the time, and I have NEVER heard this used.

I think you are confusing it with the word "botch" (a completely unrelated word).

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Check this out:

definition of 'bitch up' by the free dictionary

Offroad said:

I don't think so.

definition of 'bitch up' by the free dictionary

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Barb and I must listen to the same kinds of shows. I've never heard it used this way either. Be aware that it could be considered offensive and/or vulgar.

My first thought would be that you have funny pronunciation of the word "botch" and my second thought would indeed be that you're a vulgar person.

I strongly suggest you don't use this.

I will keep silent.
bitch
bitch v.2 [perh. f. bitch sb.1 sense 1. ]
1. trans. To hang back. rare.
· 1777 Burke Letter in Corresp. (1844) II. 157 Norton [Speaker] bitched a little at last; but though he would recede, Fox stuck to his motion.
2. trans. To spoil, to bungle. Also const. up. Cf. botch v.1 Hence 'bitched(-up) ppl. a., spoilt, bungled. colloq.
· 1823 Jon Bee Slang 10 To bitch a business, to spoil it, by aukwardness, fear, or want of strength.
· 1856 C. Reade Never too Late to Mend III. iii. 18 You will bitch my schemes and lose your fifty pounds.
· 1928 Hecht & MacArthur Front Page iii. 150 You've just bitched up my whole life!
· 1929 J. B. Priestley Good Companions ii. vi. 400 She [sc. a bus-engine] was bitching 'erself up all along.
· 1931 Kipling Limits & Renewals (1932) 197 'Reg'lar lower-deck palaver. Jemmy damned 'em all for bitchin' the evolution.
· 1932 H. Nicolson Public Faces viii. 201 Yes, that charming M. Cocquebert has, for you will excuse the word, bitched the whole business.
· 1937 E. St. V. Millay Conv. at Midnight ii. 58 Can't you let the poor benighted bitched-up country go to hell in peace?
· 1958 J. Wain Contenders 188, I was in a hurry to..begin the hunt for Ned, before Robert had a chance to do anything to bitch it up.
· 1960 R. Daniel Death by Drowning xv. 225 But for a squall bitching his escape route..he would be in France.
http://www.roxanne.org/~maeve/bitch.html

Regards,

V.