sewing up

- 1 dictionary result

sew

1 [soh]

verb, sewed, sewn or sewed, sew⋅ing.

–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

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.
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