sew up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To seal by sewing.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
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.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To bring a matter to a full conclusion that deals with all outstanding issues or other concerns.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “sew up” mean?
To seal by sewing.
Is “sew up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.