be sewed up
To be totally and conclusively settled or determined. A: "Have you finalized the details of the contract?" B: "Yep, it's all sewed up now!" They scored a goal in the last two minutes, but the game was already sewed up at that point. Don't worry, everything is sewed up for our vacation. All you have to do is get ready for a week of relaxation!
get (something) sewed up
1. To successfully conclude or settle some agreement or negotiation. I was finally able to get the contracts with the other firm sewed up. There are still a few outstanding issues to resolve, but we should be able to get the deal sewed up by the end of the week. Don't worry, I've gotten everything sewed up for our vacation. You just have to get ready for a week of relaxation!
2. To gain total control or domination over something. There have been a few rival companies here and there, but most would agree that Flimtendo got the video game market sewed up years ago. With a goal in the last two minutes, the team has gotten the game all but sewed up. A: "Wouldn't it be nice to go into the ninth inning with a comfortable lead for once?" B: "Right? Why do we only manage to get a win sewed up at the last second?"
have (something) sewed up
1. To conclude, determine, or settle something completely. We should have the contract all sewed up by the end of the week. They have the deal sewed up at this point. It's just a matter of dealing with a few remaining formalities. Don't worry, I talked to the travel agent, and she has everything sewed up for our vacation. All we have to do is get ready for a week of relaxation!
2. To have total control or domination over something. There have been a few rival companies, but most would agree that they have the market sewed up at this point. They scored a goal in the last two minutes, but their opponents already had the game totally sewed up with an insurmountable six-point lead. In my opinion, no one has the makeup market sewed up because it's so oversaturated right now.
sew (someone or something) up
1. To close an open wound in a person with stitches. We have to sew him up quickly after we're done repairing the bone. It turns out the doctors left a sponge inside my abdomen before sewing me back up.
2. To close one or multiple openings in something by sewing, especially in an attempt to repair or mend it. I had to use fishing line to sew up the hole in the sail. Would you mind sewing these pants up for me?
3. To successfully conclude or settle some dealing, activity, or endeavor. I was finally able to sew the contract up with the other firm. She seems to have sewn up a victory in the last days of the election.
4. To gain and maintain total control over something. There have been a few rival companies, but most would agree that they've sewn up the market at this point.
sew up a/the deal
To successfully conclude or settle some agreement or negotiation. I was finally able to sew up the deal with the other firm. Good luck sewing up a deal here—the owner can't stand you.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
sew someone or something up
1. Lit. to stitch together an opening in someone or something. The surgeon sewed the patient up and pronounced the operation a success. This is torn. Can you sew up this rip?
2. Fig. to complete one's dealings with or discussion of someone or something. It's time to sew this up and go home. I think we can sew up the shipping contract this afternoon and get on to someone else. Let's sew up this last matter and go.
*sewed up
1. Lit. [the sewing of a gap in cloth] completed. (*Typically: get something ~; have something ~.) Have you got that tear sewed up yet?
2. and *wrapped up Fig. settled or finished. (*Typically: get something ~; have something ~.) I'll take the contract to the mayor tomorrow morning. I'll get the whole deal sewed up by noon. Don't worry about the car loan. I'll have it wrapped up in time to make the purchase.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
sew up
1. Complete successfully, as in Our team has sewn up the championship. [Colloquial; c. 1900]
2. Gain complete control of, monopolize, as in Our restaurant hopes to sew up the town's takeout business. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.