To hitch up is to pull or lift something into place with a quick motion: She hitched up her skirt to wade across the stream, He hitched up his pants.
It also means to harness an animal to a vehicle: They hitched up the horses and headed into town.
The phrase suggests preparation for action or movement.
1. lift — pull up, Raise body to bar; hoist (Raise with tackle); raise (Lift or increase); tug (Short forceful pull); adjust · yank · gather · elevate · hike up · draw up · bunch · tighten · belt · waistband
2. fasten — buckle, Frame-and-prong fastener; strap (Narrow flexible binding material); harness (Straps controlling an animal); cinch (Guaranteed easy thing); secure · tie · hook · clasp · attach · bind · bridle · tether · yoke · clip
3. marry — elope, Wed in secret; wedding (Marriage rite and feast); nuptials (Vows and rings); matrimony (Legal union of spouses); ceremony · vows · altar · betrothal · engagement · union · spouse · bride · groom · honeymoon
Opposites
attachment/connectionhitch up ≠ unhitch Disconnect from towing; unhook · disconnect · detach · uncouple · unfasten
clothing adjustmenthitch up ≠ let down Fail to meet expectations; pull down · lower · drop · loosen
Family
hitch, hitched, hitchhike, unhitch, hitches, hitching, unhitched, hitcher, hitchers
- Familiarity
- Top 100,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G