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sew up

 - 5 dictionary results

sew

1  [soh] verb, sewed, sewn or sewed, sew⋅ing.
Use sew up in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to join or attach by stitches.
2. to make, repair, etc., (a garment) by such means.
3. to enclose or secure with stitches: to sew flour in a bag.
4. to close (a hole, wound, etc.) by means of stitches (usually fol. by up).
–verb (used without object)
5. to work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.
—Verb phrase
6. sew up,
a. Informal. to get or have a monopoly of; control exclusively.
b. Informal. to complete or conclude (arrangements, negotiations, etc.) successfully: They were about to sew up the deal when the argument started.
c. to gain or be assured of: He tried to sew up as many votes as possible before the convention.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME sewen, OE siw(i)an; c. OHG siuwan, Goth siujan, L suere (see suture ); akin to seam

Related forms:
sew⋅a⋅ble, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sew up
sew   (sō)   
v.   sewed, sewn (sōn) or sewed, sew·ing, sews

v.   tr.

  1. To make, repair, or fasten by stitching, as with a needle and thread or a sewing machine: sew a dress; sew on a button.

  2. To furnish with stitches for the purpose of closing, fastening, or attaching: sew an incision closed.

v.   intr.
To work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.
Phrasal Verb(s):
sew up Informal

  1. To complete successfully: Our team has sewn up the championship.

  2. To gain complete control of; monopolize.

  3. To make sure of: campaign strategists who were trying to sew up the election results.


[Middle English sewen, from Old English seowian; see syū- in Indo-European roots.]
sew'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
sew (sth) up

  1. tv.
    to finalize something; to conclude something. (See also sewed up.) : Let's sew this up and get out of here.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

sew 
O.E. siwian "to stitch," earlier siowian, from P.Gmc. *siwjanan (cf. O.N. syja, Swed. sy, O.H.G. siuwan, Goth. siujan "to sew"), from PIE base *siw-/*sju- "to sew" (cf. Skt. sivyati "sews," sutram "thread, string;" Gk. hymen "thin skin, membrane," hymnos "song;" L. suere "to sew, sew together;" O.C.S. sijo "to sew," sivu "seam;" Lett. siuviu, siuti "to sew," siuvikis "tailor;" Rus. svec "tailor"). Sewing machine is attested from 1847.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

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]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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