Mired Up

In Southern and Appalachian speech, mired up means stuck fast in mud or soft ground, usually referring to a vehicle, animal, or person that cannot move without help.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: stuck, bogged-down, sinked-in, hung-up

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If somebody's stuck in the mud and can't get out, you'll hear it called 'marred up' out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

If somebody's stuck in the mud and can't get out, you'll hear it called 'marred up' out in the country.

Pronunciation

[MAH-urd up]
/ mɑːrd ʌp /

Meaning & Usage

- To be stuck in mud or soft ground (verb phrase)

Earl:

Well, she’s mired up now. Ain’t goin’ nowhere ‘til we get a chain.

Mae:

Told ya not to ease off in that slick spot.

variations: mired-up, marred-up, mard-up

★ If you hear spinning tires and see red clay flying, holler "Cut it off!" quick - once you’re mired up, more gas only makes the hole deeper. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the older English verb "mire," meaning to sink or become stuck in mud. The intensified Southern/Appalachian phrase "mired up" adds the particle "up" to signal a completed, often troublesome state. Strongly associated with rural terrain, farming, and backroad travel.

Usage Notes

"Mired up" is widely used across the South and Appalachia for vehicles, livestock, and people stuck in mud. The pronunciation often reduces "mired" to "marr’d" or "marred," naturally producing the variant marred up, though the meaning clearly tracks back to "mire." Outside the region, people typically say "stuck" or "bogged down," not "mired up."

Used for trucks, tractors, ATVs, and even boots sinking in soft ground.
The reduced pronunciation "marred up" is regional but refers to the same concept.
Implies a need for assistance - a chain, a push, or another vehicle.
Common in farm talk, hunting stories, and backroad travel.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "mired up" strictly Southern?

Yes - while "mired" exists in standard English, the phrasal form mired up is strongly Southern/Appalachian in both usage and tone.

Does "marred up" mean the same thing?

In this context, yes. "Marred up" reflects the local pronunciation of "mired," not the word "marred" meaning damaged.

Can it refer to more than vehicles?

Absolutely - people, boots, livestock, or anything stuck in mud can be called "mired up."

Is it still used today?

Very much so. It’s common in rural speech and among anyone who drives backroads or works farmland.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 11). Mired Up. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mired-up
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mired Up." HillbillySlang.com, 11 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mired-up.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mired Up." HillbillySlang.com. December 11, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mired-up.