patch up

Meanings

1. 1verbphrasal verb

   To mend something quickly or roughly, not completely or for the long term.

   Grammar: Takes an object, which can go before or after up: patch up the roof or patch it up.

   Patterns

   • patch something up
   • patch up something

   He patched up the leaking pipe with tape until the plumber arrived.

   We patched the fence up before the storm.

   The mechanic patched up the old car just well enough to get us home.

2. 2verbphrasal verb

   To fix a quarrel or end a disagreement so two people or groups are friendly again.

   Grammar: Often used with differences, friendship or quarrel as the object.

   Patterns

   • patch up a quarrel
   • patch things up with someone

   The two sisters finally patched up their quarrel over the holidays.

   She called him to patch things up after the argument.

   The coach tried to patch up the team's differences before the final.

3. 3verbphrasal verbinformal

   To give a hurt person quick medical care so they can function, without full treatment.

   Grammar: Informal and often about injuries; the person is the object.

   Patterns

   • patch someone up

   The medic patched up the player's cut so he could return to the game.

   They patched him up at the roadside and sent him to the hospital.

Word forms

Common combinations

patch things up

After the argument, they tried to patch things up.

patch up a friendship

It took months to patch up the friendship.

patch up a hole

He patched up the hole in the wall.

patch up a wound

The nurse patched up the wound quickly.

patch up differences

The leaders patched up their differences.

Synonyms and how they differ

mend

Mend suggests a proper repair, while patch up often means a quick, temporary fix.

reconcile

Reconcile is more formal and suggests a deeper restoration of a relationship than patch up.

make up

Make up is more casual and is used only for quarrels, not repairs of objects.

fix

Fix is general and may be complete or lasting, whereas patch up suggests a rough job.

Opposites

Word family

patch noun

a piece of material used to cover a hole

patch verb

to cover or mend with a piece

patchy adjective

uneven or incomplete

patchwork noun

cloth made of joined pieces

Commonly confused: patch up or patch?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “patch up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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