Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - patch up

1. If you patch up a quarrel or relationship, you try to be friendly again and not to quarrel any more. She has gone on holiday with her husband to try to patch up their marriage... He has now patched up his differences with the Minister... France patched things up with New Zealand... They managed to patch it up. PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) with n, V n P with, V n P 2. If you patch up something which is damaged, you mend it or patch it. We can patch up those holes... PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P 3. If doctors patch someone up or patch their wounds up, they treat their injuries. ...the medical staff who patched her up after the accident... Emergency surgery patched up his face. PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)