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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

sew up en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (transitive) To seal by sewing.
    • Amongst the Narrinyeri in South Australia men of the Snake clan sometimes catch snakes, pull out their teeth or sew up their mouths, and keep them as pets. 1887, James George Frazer, Totemism, page 14:
  2. (figuratively, transitive) To bring a matter to a full conclusion that deals with all outstanding issues or other concerns.
    • Threatening to veto the Berkshire offer suggests the fund doesn't have the financing sewn up and is stalling for time. 2017 August 17, Lauren Silva Laughlin, “In Battle Over Texas Utility, Elliott Is Grasping at Straws”, in New York Times, retrieved 25 Aug 2018:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
sewn up Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sewing up Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sewed up Tense=Past lexicographic
sews up Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Relateds

sew-ups · sewed up