muddle
n. C / U C2 Proficiency US //ˈmədəɫ// UK //mˈʌdəl// mud·dle
n. a state of confusion or a lack of order. You use this when things are messy or when someone is not thinking clearly.
n. a state of confusion, disorder, or mental disorientation. Often implies a lack of systematic arrangement or a failure to understand a situation clearly.
The paperwork is in a complete muddle.
The schedule got into a terrible muddle after three different people tried to change the meeting times.
The legal proceedings descended into a bureaucratic muddle, with conflicting testimonies and missing evidence making a clear verdict nearly impossible to reach.
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'in a muddle' or 'get into a muddle'.