stitch-up

[stich-uhp]

noun

British Informal.

1. a scheme of deception that exploits or falsely incriminates someone, possibly leading to a false arrest; a setup.

   These allegations against the mayor are part of an outrageous stitch-up.

stitch up

verb

1. to join or mend by means of stitches or sutures

2. slang

   1. to incriminate (someone) on a false charge by manufacturing evidence

   2. to betray, cheat, or defraud

3. slang,  to prearrange (something) in a clandestine manner

noun

1. slang,  a matter that has been prearranged clandestinely

Word History and Origins

Origin of stitch up¹

First recorded in 1980–85; stitch ( def. ) + up ( def. )