mu ck-raking also muckraking N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of muck-raking , you are criticizing them for finding and spreading unpleasant or embarrassing information about someone, especially a public figure. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The Prime Minister accused opposition leaders of muck-raking.
mucky /mʌ ki/ (muckier , muckiest ) ADJ Something that is mucky is very dirty. [INFORMAL ]
mu|cous mem|brane /mjuː kəs me mbre I n/ (mucous membranes ) N‑COUNT A mucous membrane is skin that produces mucus to prevent itself from becoming dry. It covers delicate parts of the body such as the inside of your nose. [TECHNICAL ]
mu|cus /mjuː kəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Mucus is a thick liquid that is produced in some parts of your body, for example the inside of your nose.
mud /mʌ d/ N‑UNCOUNT Mud is a sticky mixture of earth and water. □ His uniform was crumpled, untidy, splashed with mud.
mud|dle /mʌ d ə l/ (muddles , muddling , muddled )
1 N‑VAR [oft in/into a N ] If people or things are in a muddle , they are in a state of confusion or disorder. □ My thoughts are all in a muddle. □ [+ of ] …a general muddle of pencils and boxes.
2 VERB If you muddle things or people, you get them mixed up, so that you do not know which is which. □ [V n] Already, one or two critics have begun to muddle the two names. ● PHRASAL VERB Muddle up means the same as muddle . □ [V P n] The question muddles up three separate issues. □ [V n P + with ] He sometimes muddles me up with other patients. ● mud|dled up ADJ □ I know that I am getting my words muddled up.
▸ muddle through PHRASAL VERB If you muddle through , you manage to do something even though you do not have the proper equipment or do not really know how to do it. □ [V P ] We will muddle through and just play it day by day. □ [V P n] The BBC may be able to muddle through the next five years like this. □ [V n P ] Somehow or other, we muddled our way through.
▸ muddle up → see muddle 2
mud|dled /mʌ d ə ld/ ADJ If someone is muddled , they are confused about something. □ I'm afraid I'm a little muddled. I'm not exactly sure where to begin.
mud|dy /mʌ di/ (muddier , muddiest , muddies , muddying , muddied )
1 ADJ Something that is muddy contains mud or is covered in mud. □ …a muddy track. □ The ground was still very muddy.
2 VERB If you muddy something, you cause it to be muddy. □ [V n] The ground still smelled of rain and they muddied their shoes.
3 VERB If someone or something muddies a situation or issue, they cause it to seem less clear and less easy to understand. □ [V n] It's difficult enough without muddying the issue with religion. ● mud|died ADJ □ Overseas, the legal issues are more muddied. ● PHRASE If someone or something muddies the waters , they cause a situation or issue to seem less clear and less easy to understand. □ They keep on muddying the waters by raising other political issues.
mud|flats /mʌ dflæts/ N‑PLURAL Mudflats are areas of flat empty land at the coast which are covered by the sea only when the tide is in.
mud|guard /mʌ dgɑː r d/ (mudguards ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The mudguards of a bicycle or other vehicle are curved pieces of metal or plastic above the tyres, which stop mud getting on the rider or vehicle. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use fender , splashguard
mud|slide /mʌ dsla I d/ (mudslides ) N‑COUNT A mudslide is a large amount of mud sliding down a mountain, usually causing damage or destruction.
mu d-slinging N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of mud-slinging , you are accusing them of making insulting, unfair, and damaging remarks about their opponents. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Voters are disillusioned with mud-slinging campaigns.
mues|li /mjuː zli/ (mueslis ) N‑VAR Muesli is a breakfast cereal made from chopped nuts, dried fruit, and grains.
mu|ez|zin /mue z I n/ (muezzins ) N‑COUNT A muezzin is an official who calls from the tower of a mosque when it is time for Muslims to pray.
muff /mʌ f/ (muffs , muffing , muffed )
1 VERB If you muff something, you do it badly or you make a mistake while you are doing it, so that it is not successful. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He muffed his opening speech.
2 N‑COUNT A muff is a piece of fur or thick cloth shaped like a short hollow cylinder. You wear a muff on your hands to keep them warm in cold weather.
muf|fin /mʌ f I n/ (muffins )
1 N‑COUNT Muffins are small, round, sweet cakes, usually with fruit or bran inside. They are often eaten with butter for breakfast. [AM ] □ …breakfasts of pancakes, blueberry muffins, eggs, and bacon.
2 N‑COUNT Muffins are small, flat, sweet bread rolls that you eat hot with butter. [BRIT ] in AM, use English muffins
muf|fle /mʌ f ə l/ (muffles , muffling , muffled ) VERB If something muffles a sound, it makes it quieter and more difficult to hear. □ [V n] Blake held his handkerchief over the mouthpiece to muffle his voice. □ [V -ed] She heard a muffled cough behind her.
muf|fled /mʌ f ə ld/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are muffled , you are wearing a lot of heavy clothes so that very little of your body or face is visible. □ [+ in ] …children muffled in scarves and woolly hats.
muf|fler /mʌ flə r / (mufflers )