Jump To:

• patch-up
  patch-up

  noun

  an act or instance of patching or repair.
• patch up
  patch up

  Mend or repair, make whole. For example, He managed to patch up the lawn mower so it's running, or John cut his hand badly, but they patched him up in the emergency room, or Mike and Molly have patched up their differences. This term alludes to mending something by putting patches of material on it. [Second half of 1500s]

patch-up

American  

[pach-uhp] / ˈpætʃˌʌp /

noun

1. an act or instance of patching or repair.

---

adjective

1. done by patching or fixing.

   a quick patch-up job.

patch up Idioms  

1. Mend or repair, make whole. For example, He managed to patch up the lawn mower so it's running, or John cut his hand badly, but they patched him up in the emergency room, or Mike and Molly have patched up their differences. This term alludes to mending something by putting patches of material on it. [Second half of 1500s]

---

Etymology

Origin of patch-up

First recorded in 1900–05; noun, adj. use of verb phrase patch up

Example Sentences

The question that’s been glossed over, however, is whether the ballroom would really patch up security for the president.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

Colabianchi, the theater’s superintendent, said he hopes Venezi can meet the orchestra and patch up their differences before she takes up her baton in the fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Lakers fans might not get the chance to see James and his patch up close on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Hawks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

That’s left state health departments working to figure out how to patch up the holes.

From Barron's • Oct. 18, 2025

Thus we see that buildings undertaken and completed by a single architect are usually more attractive and better planned than those which several have tried to patch up…

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton