patching up
Making hasty repairs
Patching up means making rough repairs—fixing something enough to function without restoring it fully: We patched up the roof until we could afford a proper fix.
The phrase extends to relationships and conflicts, where it means reconciling or smoothing over differences: They had a big fight but patched things up.
In medical contexts, it means treating injuries with basic care: The medic patched him up and sent him back.
Wound covering strip
- dressingSauce for salads
- gauzeOpen-weave medical fabric
- stitchesThread fastening wounds
- sutureMedical wound closure
plaster · antiseptic · ointment · splint · wound care · first aid · butterfly closure · tape
Restoration of friendly relations
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
healing · rebuilding trust · smoothing over · peace · understanding · talking it out · olive branch · closure
Repairing fabric by weaving
- sewingCraft with needle and thread
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- threadFiber for stitching
fabric · tear · rip · hole · seam · hem · iron-on · reinforcing
Restoring proper function
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- temporary fixInterim solution, not permanent
- quick fixHasty temporary solution
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
duct tape · jury-rigging · improvising · DIY · bodge · kludge · workaround · band-aid solution
bandage
Wound covering strip
suture · plaster · antiseptic · ointment · splint · wound care · first aid · butterfly closure · tape · compress
reconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
compromise · healing · rebuilding trust · smoothing over · peace · understanding · talking it out · olive branch · closure · resolution
darning
Repairing fabric by weaving
- sewingCraft with needle and thread
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- needlePointed implement for sewing
thread · fabric · tear · rip · hole · seam · hem · iron-on · reinforcing · worn spot
fixing
Restoring proper function
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- temporary fixInterim solution, not permanent
- quick fixHasty temporary solution
stopgap · duct tape · jury-rigging · improvising · DIY · bodge · kludge · workaround · band-aid solution · holding together
- reconcilingforgiving, apologizing, peacemaking, mediating, compromising
- reconnectingreunion, reconciliation, renewal, catching up, making up
- Relationship Repairforgiveness, reconciliation, making amends, healing, trust-building
- Making Peaceapology, compromise, forgiveness, truce, peace talks
patching upbreaking
Coming apart suddenly
destroying · damaging · wrecking · ruining · tearing apart
patching upoverhauling
Comprehensive repair or renovation
rebuilding · renovating · refurbishing · reconstructing · remaking
patching upbreaking up
Ending a romantic relationship
falling out · severing ties · estranging · splitting up · alienating
repair, patch, mending, patches, patched, patch up, patching, patchers, patcher