patch-up

[ pach-uhp ]

noun

1. an act or instance of patching or repair.

adjective

1. done by patching or fixing:

   a quick patch-up job.

Word History and Origins

Origin of patch-up¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

So here’s what I’m thinking: Before you skulk to her bedside for an insincere patch-up job, talk to your brother.

From Washington Post

Asking Scott Wright or Joe Aribo or Fashion Sakala to do the role of the man through the middle might be fine in Scottish football, but this is the rarefied air of a European semi-final and hoping that a patch-up operation will cut it is pushing it.

From BBC

Even if he doesn’t do that immediately, barring a last-minute patch-up between Salvini and 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio, the governing coalition Conte was asked to lead no longer exists, so he will eventually have to face a confidence vote and resign.

From Washington Times

In the middle of last week, he was reportedly warming to the idea, but by Friday denied having any interest in a “patch-up” government, adding the PD is ready for elections.

From The Guardian

Jose Sepulveda, the power company’s transmission and distribution director, acknowledged to The Associated Press that the current system, which serves 1.5 million customers, is a patch-up job following the Sept. 20, 2017, hurricane, and that it needs further repairs and updates.

From Seattle Times