sew up

English

Verb

sew up (third-person singular simple present sews up, present participle sewing up, simple past sewed up, past participle sewn up)

1. (transitive) To seal by sewing.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To bring a matter to a full conclusion that deals with all outstanding issues or other concerns.
   • 2017 August 17, Lauren Silva Laughlin, “In Battle Over Texas Utility, Elliott Is Grasping at Straws”, in New York Times, retrieved 25 August 2018:

     Threatening to veto the Berkshire offer suggests the fund doesn't have the financing sewn up and is stalling for time.

Related terms

• sewed up
• sew-ups