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

1. come to terms
   • After some discussion we finally made up
2. mend by putting a patch on
   • patch a hole