![]() ![]() When you say "change up", the up indicates, "changing to the extent that the state of affairs is notably different from what it was previously". The same with change up and switch up, they carry a connotation of a "certain level" (which I'll admit is ambiguous) of change being created. If I "mess up" someone's hair, I'm not saying "I mess their hair to or towards a situation where the messing is complete", but more "I mess their hair to a point at which their hair is now categorically more messy than it was before". The up indicates a marked, notable difference. Rather than imply reaching an endpoint, it points towards a "step change" of events the effect is to leave the situation qualitatively different from what it was previously. One refers to the future and another to the past. While these definitions largely overlap, I think there is a hair between them. ![]() Rather than framing this in terms of "completion or finality" as the OED does however, I would venture to frame it in terms of "significant or notable change from a previous state". Something that has been mixed up is by definition, quite thoroughly mixed. The semantic difference between mix and mix up goes some way to demonstrate the meaning of up in the two phrases you've highlighted. Mix up springs to mind as a good example of this type of up. ![]()
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