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• stitch-up
  stitch-up

  noun

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

  verb

  to join or mend by means of stitches or sutures

stitch-up

American  

[stich-uhp] / ˈstɪtʃˌʌp /

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.

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stitch up British  

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

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noun

1. slang a matter that has been prearranged clandestinely

Etymology

Origin of stitch-up

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stitch-up stitch up

But that does not mean I can't see a stitch-up when it's staring me in the face.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2023

But Chris Daw, a local councillor who has been campaigning for Hurford, is visibly riled at the notion of any stitch-up.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2022

Because these snarls are the product of decisions made years ago and solving them requires more than some quick stitch-up work, short-term reactions are "usually too little, too late," Hopp said.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2022

He says it was a stitch-up to discredit him and his investigation.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2022

Here’s a stitch-up of a work colleague, albeit an accidental one.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 7, 2012

In 1951, he published the first royal tell-all memoir, A King’s Story, which flew off the shelves and painted him as a victim of an establishment stitch up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

The prince also said: "I have had it described to me, once people knew about the facts, that this is a good old fashioned establishment stitch up - and that's what it feels like."

From BBC ● May 2, 2025

The violence Sunday underscores the challenge ahead for Lula as he attempts to stitch up the stark divide here after the closest election in the country’s history.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 10, 2023

"We will stitch up the wounds and the pain of our country and our city," said Aliev, a 23-year-old musician.

From Reuters ● Mar. 14, 2022

Instead she said, “Take that dress off and I’ll stitch up your cuff.”

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison