sew S3 /səʊ $ soʊ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense sewed , past participle sewn /səʊn $ soʊn/ or sewed ) [intransitive and transitive]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: siwian ]
to use a needle and thread to make or repair clothes or to fasten something such as a button to them:
I learned to sew at school.
sew something on something
Can you sew a patch on my jeans?
sew something together
She sewed the two sides together.
sew something ↔ up phrasal verb
1 . to close or repair something by sewing it:
Could you sew up this hole in my trousers?
2 . [usually passive] informal to finish a business agreement or plan and get the result you want:
The deal should be sewn up in a week.
3 . have something sewn up to have gained control over a situation so that you are sure to win or get what you want:
It looks like the Democrats have the election sewn up.