stitch up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To join or close by sewing.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
To make Capons […] [S]ome for this Purpoſe make it their Buſineſs after Harveſt-time to go to Markets for buying up Chickens, and between Michaelmas and All-hollantide caponize the Cocks, when they have got large enough to have Stones [i.e., testes] of ſuch a Bigneſs that they may be pulled out; for
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 fabricate (e.g. a legal case).
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To maliciously or dishonestly incriminate someone; to set up (in the sense trap or ensnare)
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “stitch up” mean?
To join or close by sewing.
Is “stitch up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.