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sew up

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sew someone or something up

 

1. Lit. to stitch together an opening in someone or something. The surgeon sewed the patient up and pronounced the operation a success. This is torn. Can you sew up this rip?

2. Fig. to complete one's dealings with or discussion of someone or something. It's time to sew this up and go home. I think we can sew up the shipping contract this afternoon and get on to someone else. Let's sew up this last matter and go.

See also: sew, up

sew up something

to remove all doubt about the successful result of something Schall hopes to sew up the nomination for governor this week. The company hopes to have a deal sewn up by the end of the year.

See also: sew, up

sew up

1. Complete successfully, as in Our team has sewn up the championship. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

2. Gain complete control of, monopolize, as in Our restaurant hopes to sew up the town's takeout business. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

See also: sew, up

sew up

v.

1. To mend or repair something by sewing: I sewed up the tear in my pants. The tailor sewed the hole up.

2. To make certain that some victory or prize is attained or achieved: The candidate sewed up the election by winning Florida. We sewed the game up with a goal in the fourth quarter.

See also: sew, up