Merriam-Webster's Word Central

February 09, 2010

botch (verb): \BAHTCH\
What does it mean?: : to make or do something in a clumsy or unskillful way : spoil, bungle
How do you use it?: I really botched my first map—the mountain ranges were in the wrong places—but my second try was a good representation.
Are you a word wiz?: Our writers botched a few sentences using the word "botch." Which of the following do you think uses "botch" correctly?

A. Don't worry about not liking early drafts of your story; you can botch them right into the recycle bin.

B. If you don't botch the turkey every half hour, the meat will be dry and tough.

C. Memorize the joke exactly; if you botch the first part right, the punch line won't work.

D. It's okay if you sometimes argue with your siblings—just be sure to botch things up later.

We won't botch this: C's the only sentence in which "botch" is used to mean "to make or do something in a clumsy or unskillful way." "Botch" is often used with "up," though, as it is in sentence D. For example, you might practice a joke so that you don't botch it up. "Botch" is often used in the form "botched" with a noun, like in the phrase "a botched joke." There's also a noun "botch," which refers to something that's been botched. For example, you might say "I made a botch of that joke! I'll have to practice saying it more."

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