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

She condemned her friend's detention as a "stitch-up", and led other protesters in chanting for his release.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 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

Ms Kendall told the BBC's This Week an assembly of "ordinary people" could determine the referendum question, to avoid criticism that it would be a "Parliamentary stitch-up".

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2018

But the sense of a mass stitch-up was deeply – and understandably – entrenched.

From The Guardian • Nov. 29, 2018

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

From The Guardian • Dec. 7, 2012