mess of

mess of (something)

A large, unorganized amount or collection of something. My desk is a mess of paperwork, business cards, and office supplies. There's a whole mess of produce at the farmer's market, but it's not always easy to find what you want.
See also: mess, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(whole) mess of someone or something

Rur. a lot of someone or something. We went out on the lake and caught a whole mess of bluegill. I cooked up a mess of chili and had all my friends over to eat it.
See also: mess, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • mess of (something)
  • mess with
  • mess with (someone or something)
  • mess with someone/something
  • a hell of a mess
  • hell of a mess
  • mell
  • mell of a hess
  • instruct
  • instruct (someone) in (something)
References in classic literature
Her cargo is not stowed in any sense; it is simply dumped into her through six hatchways, more or less, by twelve winches or so, with clatter and hurry and racket and heat, in a cloud of steam and a mess of coal-dust.
Mirror of the Sea
And yet, in the face of famine and the rigorous winter, he went out gayly in quest of a mess of trout, forsooth, because he "doted" on them!
"Then you won't have another chance to get a mess of those trout you just
Moon Face and Other Stories
I've tried once to help things along and made an awful mess of it.
Anne of The Island
A total mess of rotting logs and bushes, mosquitoes, bugs, insects, environmental health problems left behind Lexington In the Park Condos on Auburn Lane in Buffalo Grove.
Village allowing mess to continue
It is really getting to me, they are making a mess of this city, it's breaking my heart."
Lit-up signs make 'mess' PLANNING
You and your government have made enough mess of the country, so leave the NHS alone.
Stop meddling David; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Tired of nasty weather making a mess of your garage floor?
Garage floor dam
The American involvement in Iraq has rightfully been described as a huge mess of epic proportions by the press on this side of the world.
The Mesopotamia Mess
I have never known a school to make such a mess with litter during their dinner break.The surrounding pavements are a disgraceful mess of paper, food and cans.
Your view : Scandal school
He recently received a patent for an, "environmentally friendly" I chewing gum that won't make a mess of the environment or your stomach.
Gut-friendly gum
It's not just dog muck that is making a mess of our footpaths.
Village horse poo row