sew up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral. The literal meaning is neutral; the figurative meaning is common in business/informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sew up” mean?
To close or join something by making stitches with a needle and thread.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To close or join something by making stitches with a needle and thread.
To successfully complete or finalize something, especially a deal or agreement; to make something a certainty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
In both varieties, the figurative use carries a connotation of efficiency and finality.
Frequency
Both literal and figurative uses are equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sew up” in a Sentence
[Subject] sews up [Object][Subject] sews [Object] upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sew up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She quickly sewed up the tear in the curtain.
- The barrister's closing argument sewed up the case for the prosecution.
American English
- He sewed up the wound with careful stitches.
- The candidate sewed up the nomination after winning the key primary.
adjective
British English
- It's a sewn-up deal. (Hyphenated as a compound adjective)
American English
- The contract is sewn-up, so we can relax.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'We need to sew up the merger by Friday.' (Meaning: finalize the agreement)
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing, but possible in discussions of processes or outcomes.
Everyday
'Can you sew up this hole in my jeans?'
Technical
Used in medical contexts (suturing wounds) and tailoring.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sew up”
- *I will sew up the plant seeds. (Confusion with 'sow')
- Using it in overly formal contexts where 'finalize' or 'conclude' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The past tense is 'sewed up'. The past participle is also 'sewed up' or, less commonly, 'sewn up'. Both are acceptable (e.g., 'He sewed up the deal' / 'The deal was sewn up').
Yes, this is its very common figurative use. You can sew up a deal, a victory, a contract, or a market share, meaning to secure or finalize it successfully.
Not directly. You would use related nouns like 'completion', 'finalization', or 'closure'. The state can be described with the adjective 'sewn-up' (often hyphenated).
Literally, they are synonyms. Figuratively, 'stitch up' is also UK slang meaning to falsely incriminate someone or treat them unfairly. 'Sew up' does not have this negative connotation; it's neutral/positive.
To close or join something by making stitches with a needle and thread.
Sew up is usually informal to neutral. the literal meaning is neutral; the figurative meaning is common in business/informal contexts. in register.
Sew up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsəʊ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsoʊ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sew up the deal”
- “have something sewn up”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sports team with a trophy that has a tear in it. To SECURE their win (figurative 'sew up'), they literally SEW UP the trophy's fabric.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETING A TASK IS FINISHING A PIECE OF SEWING (The loose ends are tied, the result is secure).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'to sew something up' most closely means: