patch things up

USAGE SUMMARY

"patch things up" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to reconcile or repair a damaged or strained relationship or situation. Example: "After their big fight, it took them months to patch things up and get back to being friends again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Will he patch things up with either of his offspring?

The Economist

"I have tried to patch things up with Mort.

The New Yorker

Maybe I should try to patch things up with Michael.

The New York Times - Style

So why not patch things up with her?

The New York Times

Or will Toby try to patch things up with Emma?

The Guardian

Ask us for permission, don't just skip exams and assume you can patch things up later.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But they seem to be patching things up now.

Independent

But the two appeared to have patched things up recently.

The New York Times

"I love Dick, we patched things up," Rose said Friday.

The New York Times

Finchem quickly patched things up with Woods, but he's now in an unenviable position.

The New York Times - Magazine

His band reduced to rubble, Kagona patched things up as best he could.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "patch things up", ensure the context clearly indicates a previous conflict or disagreement that needs resolution. The phrase implies an effort to restore a relationship or situation to a more positive state.

Common error

Avoid using "patch things up" when the situation requires more than just a superficial fix. The phrase suggests a mending process, but it doesn't guarantee that underlying issues are fully resolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patch things up" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies efforts to reconcile or repair a damaged relationship or situation. It is often used to express the action of mending something broken, be it a personal relationship or a diplomatic situation. This is supported by many examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patch things up" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of reconciling or resolving a conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts but also appears in academic and informal settings. While effective in conveying the idea of mending a relationship or situation, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the implied effort and resolution. Related phrases like ""mend fences"" or ""bury the hatchet"" offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments. Therefore, when you aim to express that a relationship or situation has been fixed, consider adding “patch things up” to your toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mend fences

Emphasizes restoring cordial relations after a dispute.

bury the hatchet

Highlights ending a conflict and making peace.

kiss and make up

Suggests a quick resolution after a minor disagreement.

iron out differences

Focuses on resolving specific points of disagreement.

resolve differences

A more general term for settling disagreements.

make amends

Implies taking action to correct a wrong and restore a relationship.

settle a dispute

Focuses on resolving a formal conflict or disagreement.

heal the rift

Emphasizes repairing a significant breach in a relationship.

build bridges

Suggests creating connections to improve understanding and relationships.

smooth things over

Focuses on making a situation less tense or difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "patch things up" in a sentence?

You can use "patch things up" to describe efforts to mend a relationship after a disagreement. For example, "After the argument, they tried to "mend fences" and patch things up."

What's a less common way to say "patch things up"?

Instead of "patch things up", consider using phrases like "heal the rift" or "iron out differences" for a less common but equally effective expression.

Is it better to "patch things up" or "resolve differences"?

The choice depends on the context. "Patch things up" suggests mending a relationship, while "resolve differences" focuses on settling disagreements, which may or may not involve a relationship.

What does it mean to "patch things up" after a fight?

To "patch things up" after a fight means to take steps to reconcile and restore a positive relationship. It implies forgiveness and a willingness to move forward. Consider alternatives such as "bury the hatchet".