patch up — to repair something hastily or temporarily; to reconcile or settle a quarrel
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to repair something hastily or temporarily; to reconcile or settle a quarrel
Pronunciation (IPA): /pætʃ ʌp/
Example Sentences
- After their epic breakup over pizza toppings, they managed to patch up their relationship over... more pizza.
- The mechanic patched up my car, but I'm pretty sure it's held together by duct tape and prayers now.
- The two countries are trying to patch up their diplomatic relations after the trade dispute.
patch up
VERB[/pætʃ ʌp/]
to repair something hastily or temporarily; to reconcile or settle a quarrel
to repair something hastily or temporarily; to reconcile or settle a quarrel
Patch up the friendship, catch up on time, match up our hearts in perfect rhyme!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Patch derives from Middle English 'patch' (13th century), originally meaning 'a piece of cloth'. When combined with the adverb 'up', it developed the literal sense of 'to repair by covering with cloth patches'. The phrase later acquired a figurative meaning, drawing an analogy to mending torn garments: relationships could be 'patched up' or reconciled through effort.
Breakdown
patch (a piece of cloth, scrap) + up (upward, to completion, to make whole). The phrasal verb combines the noun's original textile sense with the directional/completive particle 'up' to express repair or restoration.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After their epic breakup over pizza toppings, they managed to patch up their relationship over... more pizza.”
“The mechanic patched up my car, but I'm pretty sure it's held together by duct tape and prayers now.”
“The two countries are trying to patch up their diplomatic relations after the trade dispute.”
“She quickly patched up the hole in the wall before her landlord's visit.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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