Definition

Verb: - To repair by applying a piece of material over a hole or weak point: The core meaning is to mend something, especially fabric, by covering a damaged area with another piece of material. - To fix or correct something, especially software or a problem, in a temporary or makeshift way: This extends the meaning to correcting flaws or issues, often implying the solution is not permanent or perfect. - To connect or link temporarily: Used in contexts like telecommunications to establish a temporary connection.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • She learned to patch the hole in her jeans. (She repaired the hole by sewing a piece of fabric over it.)
  • The programmer needs to patch the security vulnerability in the software. (The programmer needs to fix the flaw with a small, specific update.)
  • Can you patch the call through to my office? (Can you connect the call temporarily to my office?)

Advanced Usage

• "to patch things up": to reconcile or mend a relationship after an argument.

  • After their fight, they decided to patch things up. (They decided to repair their relationship.)

• "to patch together": to assemble or create something hastily from various parts.

  • They managed to patch together a temporary solution. (They assembled a quick, makeshift fix.)

Variants and Related Words

• Patch (noun): A piece of material used to mend a hole; a small, distinct area different from its surroundings (e.g., a of ice, a vegetable ).
• Patchy (adjective): Existing or occurring in small, irregular areas; not uniform or consistent.
• Patchwork (noun): Something composed of miscellaneous or incongruous parts; also, sewing technique using fabric patches.

Synonyms

• Mend: To repair something that is broken or damaged.
• Fix: To correct or repair something.
• Repair: To restore something to good condition.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Patch through: To connect a telephone call.
  • The operator patched me through to the manager.
• Patch over: To cover or fix something temporarily, often ignoring the root cause.
  • This policy just patches over the real issues.

Related Idioms

• Not a patch on (someone/something): To be much less good than someone or something else.
  • This new phone isn't a patch on my old one. (It is not nearly as good as my old one.)
• To strike a bad patch: To experience a period of difficulty or bad luck.
  • The company has struck a bad patch this quarter.

adjective

1. having patches; patchy