Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - muddle

~1 n C usually singular 1 a state of confusion or untidiness, that results in things being done wrong  (There was a bit of a muddle over our reservations. | We had to get an accountant in to sort out the muddle.) 2 be in a muddle a) to be in an untidy and confused state  (The papers were all in a muddle.) b) to be confused because you have too much to do  (I'm in such a muddle, I'd completely forgotten you were coming today.) ~2 v also muddle up especially BrE 1 to put something in the wrong order or mix something up  (Someone's muddled up all the papers on my desk. | Your invoice got muddled up with Mr Clark's.) 2 get muddled (up) to get confused between one thing or person and another, and make a mistake  (Sorry, I got a bit muddled up over the dates. | get sb/sth muddled (up))  (I'm not quite sure of their ages, I get them muddled up.) - muddled adj  (muddled thinking) - muddling adj muddle along/on phr v BrE to continue doing something without having any clear plan  (We just seem to muddle along but never make any real progress.) muddle through phr v especially BrE to achieve something even though you do not have a clear plan or use the best methods or equipment  (Jack got some difficult questions but he managed to muddle through.)