patch up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To repair something, especially in a temporary or makeshift way, by adding a piece of material or by fixing a specific part. This often implies a quick fix rather than a permanent solution. 2. To resolve a disagreement or argument and restore a friendly relationship. This meaning is informal and refers to mending a personal relationship.
Usage and Examples
- Literal Repair:
- He tried to patch up the hole in the tire with a repair kit.
- I need to patch up the elbow of this old sweater.
- Figurative Repair (Relationship):
- They had a big fight, but they managed to patch up their differences.
- After the argument, it took them weeks to patch up their friendship.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used with a direct object (the thing being repaired) and is often followed by "with" to indicate the material used for the literal repair.
- She patched up the roof with some tarpaulin until a professional could fix it.
- In the relationship sense, it is commonly followed by "with" to indicate the other person.
- Have you patched things up with your brother yet?
Variants and Related Words
- Patch (verb/noun): The core word. As a verb, it means to mend with a patch. As a noun, it is the piece of material used for mending.
- Make up (phrasal verb): A close synonym specifically for the "resolve a quarrel" meaning (e.g., ).
- Mend (verb): A more general synonym for repair, applicable to both objects and relationships.
Synonyms
- For repair: Mend, fix, repair, cobble together.
- For relationships: Reconcile, make up, settle differences, resolve a dispute.
Phrasal Verbs
- Patch over: Similar to "patch up," it can mean to repair temporarily or to try and hide a problem without truly solving it.
- The government tried to patch over the crisis with a quick policy change.
Related Idioms
- To patch things up: This is the standard idiomatic form when referring to relationships.
- I'm glad you two decided to patch things up.
Verb
- come to terms
- After some discussion we finally made up
- mend by putting a patch on
- patch a hole