sew1

[soh] /soʊ/
verb (used with object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sewing.
1.
to join or attach by stitches.
2.
to make, repair, etc., (a garment) by such means.
3.
to enclose or secure with stitches:
to sew flour in a bag.
4.
to close (a hole, wound, etc.) by means of stitches (usually followed by up).
verb (used without object), sewed, sewn or sewed, sewing.
5.
to work with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.
Verb phrases
6.
sew up,
  1. Informal. to get or have a monopoly of; control exclusively.
  2. Informal. to complete or conclude (arrangements, negotiations, etc.) successfully:
    They were about to sew up the deal when the argument started.
  3. to gain or be assured of:
    He tried to sew up as many votes as possible before the convention.
Origin
before 900; Middle English sewen, Old English siw(i)an; cognate with Old High German siuwan, Gothic siujan, Latin suere (see suture); akin to seam
Related forms
sewable, adjective, noun
British Dictionary definitions for sew up

sew up

verb (transitive, adverb)
1.
to fasten or mend completely by sewing
2.
(US) to acquire sole use or control of
3.
(informal) to complete or negotiate successfully: to sew up a deal

sew

/səʊ/
verb sews, sewing, sewed, sewn, sewed
1.
to join or decorate (pieces of fabric, etc) by means of a thread repeatedly passed through with a needle or similar implement
2.
(transitive; often foll by on or up) to attach, fasten, or close by sewing
3.
(transitive) to make (a garment, etc) by sewing
See also sew up
Word Origin
Old English sēowan; related to Old Norse sӯja, Gothic siujan, Old High German siuwen, Latin suere to sew, Sanskrit sīvjati he sews
Word Origin and History for sew up

sew

v.

Old English siwian "to stitch, sew, mend, patch, knit together," earlier siowian, from Proto-Germanic *siwjanan (cf. Old Norse syja, Swedish sy, Danish sye, Old Frisian sia, Old High German siuwan, Gothic siujan "to sew"), from PIE root *syu- "to bind, sew" (cf. Sanskrit sivyati "sews," sutram "thread, string;" Greek hymen "thin skin, membrane," hymnos "song;" Latin suere "to sew, sew together;" Old Church Slavonic šijo "to sew," šivu "seam;" Lettish siuviu, siuti "to sew," siuvikis "tailor;" Russian švec "tailor"). Related: Sewed; sewing. To sew (something) up "bring it to a conclusion" is a figurative use attested by 1904.

Idioms and Phrases with sew up

sew up

.
Complete successfully, as in Our team has sewn up the championship. [ ; c. 1900 ]
.
Gain complete control of, monopolize, as in Our restaurant hopes to sew up the town's takeout business. [ ; first half of 1900s ]